The biggest day of the Blossomtime Festival is taking shape—and there wil be a familiar look, with help from a major partner helping to bring it all together for the second year.
The Grand Floral Parade returns Saturday, May 9 at 1 p.m., once again rolling through St. Joseph, crossing the Bicentennial Bridge, and continuing into Benton Harbor. For many, it’s the centerpiece of the entire Blossomtime week—and a tradition that continues to draw thousands to the streets.
Back again this year, for the second year, is the presenting sponsor: Four Winds Casinos. The Pokagon Band’s casino operation has long been a visible supporter of community events across Southwest Michigan, and its role in Blossomtime helps ensure the scale and quality that people have come to expect from the parade.
From a spectator standpoint, the Grand Floral Parade remains a full-scale, classic community parade, featuring more than 120 units. Expect marching bands, floats, costumed characters, antique vehicles, and equestrian groups, along with longtime crowd favorites like the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Motorcycle Drill Team, making yet another return appearance.
For those who can’t make it downtown—or prefer to watch from home—the parade will also be carried live on WSBT-TV 22. In this era of digital appointment viewing, many will watch it when it’s convenient, or watch their favorite high school bands with their kids and grand kids march past again on their big screens.
And for anyone planning their day, May 9 offers more than just the parade. The morning starts with the “Run for the Buds” 5K along the parade route, giving participants a chance to experience the course before it fills with spectators—then transition right into parade mode in the afternoon.
Bottom line: whether you’re staking out a curbside seat, tuning in on TV, or making a full day of it, the Grand Floral Parade remains the anchor of Blossomtime—and with added backing from Four Winds, it’s positioned to stay that way.
