Parade Day

Daisy Art Parade 2026

All are welcome to attend the Daisy Art Parade on Saturday, May 9 (Mother’s Day weekend), and experience the joy of this free, revelrous parade. Attending is fun, and parading with your neighbors, even more so.

This pedestrian parade will assemble in the parking lots at River’s Edge Park North, near Carilion Virginia Tech Riverside Campus , just south of Downtown Roanoke.  The paraders will line up at 11 a.m., with the parade beginning at noon sharp. We will proceed from the parking lot around the park on the 9 ft wide footpaths and return to our starting place for music, amusements, refreshments and food. The route will take about 30 minutes for participants to complete as we circle  the soccer fields and parade past the tennis courts. If you prefer to watch, there will be ample open space to set up a lawn chair or spread a blanket for a picnic. The entire parade should take an hour to observe, and you are encouraged to stay for the carnival which will last until 5 p.m.

This new River’s Edge Park North location offers the organizers many more opportunities for the event to expand into a day-long celebration. Parade participants can unload in the River’s Edge parking lot off Reserve Avenue SW. Parking is available on Reserve Ave and there is ample space in nearby parking lots and garages. 

DAISY ART CARNIVAL 

Carnival stalls and amusements will open at 10 a.m. and close at 5pm. A carnival is more than a festival- it is an event that includes parades, costumes, music, food and amusements with a focus on temporary, vibrant public revelry. This year we will set up art making stations, DIY carnival games, and old time hand-made block party games like bean bag tosses (with a twist). Learn about how art can heal, unite, and inspire joy while having the opportunity to win locally made art prizes. Food trucks and refreshment stands will be available, but feel free to bring a picnic and a lawn chair! There will be a stage to hear some great, family friendly music. e will have puppeteers and aerial artists performing throughout the afternoon. The Daisy Art Carnival and Parade are FREE to attend and everyone is invited to participate. 

DAISY AFTER PARTY

After the conclusion of Parade and Carnival events at 5 p.m., adult revelers can make their way to Starr Hill Pilot Brewery and Side Stage (6 Old Whitmore Ave) for the Daisy Art Parade After Party, hosted by Starr Hill as part of their Ramble On The River events series. Live music and performances will go until 10pm.

Volunteer for the Parade!

Seeking an alternative way to be involved with the Daisy Art Parade and Carnival? We need volunteers to help the event run smoothly! Whether you’re free for a few hours or all day, there are various tasks to do! From art load-in to managing the merch booth to parade route monitors, volunteers are the group that makes the magic happen. Volunteer training will take place in the weeks leading up to the Parade & Carnival.

Volunteer Sign-Up

Learn about our collaborators!

 

In 2025, our Roanoke Artists-in-Residence Daisy Activation Team was dedicated to working with five of the city’s focus neighborhoods for the parade. We had incredible turnout from all over the city, with awesome neighborhood-focused art from so many parade krewes! From the appearance of a 12-foot-tall Reverend R.R. Wilkinson from the “Step Out On Faith” krewe from Gainsboro, to the alien invasion including an entire UFO from I Heart SE- “the greatest neighborhood in the galaxy”, Roanoke came together to share our art and love! 

 

Also in 2025, we worked with the Street Performer Expo to create a community-led weekend in downtown Roanoke! Check out Busk Roanoke! for more information on street performers in Roanoke.

Krewes

A Krewe is a social group that wants to do something for others, like a barn raising or in this case a float building. You don’t have to be an artist or creative to be in a Krewe, but you should like rolling up your sleeves! Find a venue that suits you and maybe they will sponsor your krewe. Find teachers, nurses, community activists, neighborhood advocates, social justice warriors, people who like to cook, plan events, do crafts, play music, build stuff, take photos, make clothes, or whatever floats the boat! Sign up for our newsletter to find krewes that interest you.

Daisy Art Parade

Making art can bring purpose and healing when our lives are stressful. Making art can bring people together, build community, and help communities have common purpose with their neighbors. We want to help the citizens of our city start making community art.

Daisy Parade Newsletter Sign Up
PARADE GUIDELINES
 
  • The Parade will go on: rain, snow or shine. Have a wet weather plan.
  • The parade is open to all peoples, nationalities, creeds, orientations, and economic status.
  • Parade art and costumes should be handmade and locally (or regionally) made.
  • Everything should be people powered, we don’t want to breathe exhaust fumes.
  • The parade is family friendly; adults are encouraged to participate—even without kids.
  • Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Throwing candy or party favors is not permitted. They can be handed out.
  • The parade is a celebration of identity and belonging, not a platform to protest.
  • The parade promotes our community, advertising particular businesses is discouraged.
  • All parade entries must emphasize SAFETY! Please make sure your creation has good visibility, is easy to operate and control, and is safe for other parade participants.
  • Remember, we are parading outdoors so consider wind when you are building.
  • Krewe registration is required for all groups.
  • Participating Krewes will be provided line up numbers and name identification and qualify for Prizes.
  • All parade participants do so at their own risk, written waivers are required and available during online registration, and at the parade.
  • Individual registration will be available closer to parade day.
  • Participants must sign in at the registration desk on Parade Day—which will be located at the parade starting location.
  • The Registration station will open at 8 am on parade day. Come early and hang out! 

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