MINOT, ND ( KXNET ) — Extra! Extra! North Dakota Hot News! That’s the theme of this year’s State Parade. And on Saturday, you will see 189 parade floats making their way to the fairgrounds, all decorated to fit that theme.

The State Parade is a tradition that signifies the start to some busy days in the Magic City.

“I’m a local girl, I grew up here just North Minot. So this was always a thing whether I was here watching it, or even home watching it on KX. This has just been a staple for the fair. And it’s just so much fun to be able to be a part of that tradition and continue that tradition for many many years,” said Twyla Scott, a chairman of the North Dakota State Parade

This is the 42nd annual state parade. However, it’s been around for 44 years, starting in 1981 only skipping the festivies in 2011 and 2020, due to the flood and the pandemic.

Before the parade begins, runners will head through the streets for the annual ‘Run the Route’ 5K race. This means officers will begin blocking traffic at 8:00 a.m.

The parade road closures will start right here on South Broadway and 18th Avenue Southwest to here on Burdick Expressway. And at 8:30 a.m., Burdick Expressway East will be completely blocked off and closed to traffic Burdick Expressway East will remain closed until the parade ends.

All floats make their way to the final destination entering at gate D and making their way through the main walkway of the fairgrounds.

“This is one of our big showcases of Minot. So granted we are in the midst of the fifth season of road construction in North Dakota. But we want to make that as least impactful as possible,” said Stephen Joerse, the Traffic Engineer for the City of Minot

The parade is set to start at around 9:15 a.m. and officers ask for people to use alternate routes to get to where you need to go to watch the floats pass by.

“Find your spot, get out there early save your spot. When we are going past at 6:00 a.m. in the morning, there’s already people staking out their spots on Burdick Expressway,” said Scott.

And there are also some rules to follow for spectators and people in the parade.

“We ask that you have walkers, and if you’re on a float we ask that you do not get on or off a moving vehicle. So wait until they stop before you get on and off so that you’re not run over by a tire. The watchers, make sure you keep your children out of the road. And enjoy the parade from the side of the road from the curb or farther back,” said Scott.

Scott says the Parade Board started planning the event all the way back in January and on the day of the parade, she says her day starts at 5 a.m.

“Planning is great trying to determine who our grand marshal is and just preparing for this great day that we’ve got coming up. And then when the day is here it is fantastic!” said Scott.

She hopes everyone can make it out to step into the magic of the 42nd State Parade, where history and community, come together as one.

There will also be parade judges who decide which organizations went all out on their float decorations and deserve to be recognized for it. 12 awards will be handed out on Tuesday.

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