Guilford Fair Parade

This year, the theme is “Guilford Traditions,” with a focus on the long-established customs in our town that have been passed from one generation to another. Since the first Guilford Fair and Guilford Fair Parade were held 160 years ago in 1859, both have honored agriculture in Guilford. These and other Guilford traditions will be celebrated this year, as local individuals, organizations, schools, and businesses march in the Guilford Fair Parade.

Joel E. Helander, Guilford Town Historian, will serve as the Grand Marshal of the Guilford Fair Parade. In a tract that he wrote, “The Guilford Fair: A Brief History,” he describes the first parade in 1859 as a “grand success, featuring 426 yoke of oxen that came from Guilford, Madison, and North Branford. William Fowler of Moose Hill district led the procession as marshal, moving to the inspiring music of fife and drum. Forty young men rode on horseback and decorated carts and wagons carried an array of agricultural products.” From those early days, the tradition of holding the Guilford Fair and Guilford Fair Parade has continued.

TO APPLY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PARADE, please complete and submit the Application, including the release form, ASAP, but no later than September 1, 2019. Click on “Application” above to complete the registration information. If your unit includes a motorized vehicle, a Certificate of Insurance must also be provided by September 1, 2019. For details, please see #6 in FAQ.

If you are a MUSICAL UNIT, please refer to #5 in FAQ for details.

If you are entering a FLOAT, please refer to the FLOAT INFORMATION PAGE.

We request marchers be in the Line of March by 9:00 a.m. Your spot can be located by pairing the number your group is e-mailed the week of the parade with the number that can be found on Whitfield Street (or a nearby side street) the morning of the parade. Marshals in red vests will be available beginning at 8:00 a.m. to help you find your spot.

For any questions, please refer to our FAQ. Thanks! We look forward to seeing you at the parade!

The Guilford Fair Parade Committee