Celebrate Idaho parade open to all entries

Each summer one of the most memorable community events is the Weiser fiddle festival parade. The culminating event of the week always brings the fiddlers and community together for a great celebration of not only the music but of community.
 With the restrictions brought about by COVID-19, the official National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest Parade had to also be canceled, but the tradition of Weiser hosting a parade on the fourth Saturday in June is one thing the community can still celebrate. Instead of the fiddle parade, Weiser will be hosting the “Celebrate Idaho” parade on June 27 at noon.
 Although the National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest directors had to make the decision to cancel the competition this year, the parade committee was able to plan a celebration that could still follow social distancing guidelines.
 With the state now in stage four, and with the parade taking place all outdoors, the committee hoped that the parade could be the perfect way to allow the community members to still follow any social distancing guidelines that they feel are best, while still coming together to celebrate and focus on the positive things that bring us together.
 The name of the parade and the theme of the parade go hand in hand: Celebrate Idaho. The parade committee invites anyone who wants to come and celebrate to be in the parade. There will be no fee or form – just show up and be ready to have fun.
 Those interested in participating in the parade are asked to check in on the morning of the parade between 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Weiser High School. The parade will begin there, with the horses staging at the empty lot by the cemetery.
 The parade will follow the same route as the annual fiddle contest parade, heading south on State Street before turning east onto Idaho Street, and finally turning north on East 4th Street before finishing at Weiser Middle School.
 Parade organizer Patrick Nauman shared that there has been a lot of interest in the parade. Invitations have been sent to several local and area businesses and organizations. He is excited to announce that Weiser’s very own state titleholders,  Miss Idaho Grace Zimmerman, and Miss of Idaho Jasmine Rios, will both be at the head of the parade.
 The committee is hopeful that the parade will help the local businesses and bring the community downtown for some safe fun together. With many of the other festivals and fairs around the state getting cancelled, the Celebrate Idaho parade will be the first of the 2020 parade season in the entire state.      
 Although Weiser will be excited to have the official National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Parade back next year, what a great way to still come together and have a great time.