Organized by the North Dakota State Fair Parade Committee, the event is a long-standing tradition meant to celebrate community pride and state heritage. The parade is held each year on the opening weekend of the North Dakota State Fair.

Led by the Minot Police Department, the lineup began with a presentation of colors by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a musical performance from the 188th Army Band. Local and state first responders followed closely behind, including the Minot Fire Department, Ward County Sheriff’s Department, and North Dakota Highway Patrol. U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Trinity Health’s air and ground first response teams were also among the early entries.

Several military and civic leaders were recognized in the procession, including commanders from the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing at Minot Air Force Base. Minot AFB Fire Emergency Services and the 2025 grand marshal, Randy Hedberg, also participated near the front of the lineup.

A crowd favorite, the Budweiser Clydesdales, made their traditional appearance along with floats sponsored by Magic City Beverage and First Western Bank. Other notable floats included entries from the Minot Symphony Association, Magic City Discovery Center, Western N.D. Honor Flight and the Minot Hot Tots baseball team.

Evan Brandt/MDN Xaja Bush was excited after her first experience at the North Dakota State Parade. She loved seeing the tractors and combines.

The parade also featured numerous entries from schools and youth organizations, including Minot State University, Dakota College at Bottineau, Ward County 4-H and several local chapters of the FFA and Scouting America.

Community causes and advocacy groups were well represented, with floats from the Alzheimer’s Association, Special Olympics North Dakota-Minot, Minot Interfaith Community Allies and Catholic Charities North Dakota.

People from outside the state made their way up to see the parade and fair for themselves. Xaja Bush had come up from Houston, Texas, to experience the parade with her fiancee.

“This is quite different from back home in Houston — in the best way. Everyone’s super friendly. The energy’s chill but fun, and there’s just something really sweet about how the whole town shows up for it. I even got candy,” she said after her first state parade. “It’s been nothing but good vibes all day. Kids are running around with cotton candy. There’s music. People are chatting with strangers. It just feels like a big community hangout.”

Evan Brandt/MDN The Minot Veterans of Foreign Wars Color Guard opened the North Dakota State Parade after the Minot Police Department on Saturday in Minot. This year’s parade had about 200 units.