55th Maple Leaf Festival parade tomorrow in Carthage

Strike up the band! The 55th annual Maple Leaf Parade will begin at 9 a.m. tomorrow morning, starting on the historic Carthage square and winding through the historic city.

The event draws thousands of people each year to the city and entries include bands, floats, organizations and colorful vehicles.

The event is especially welcome this year because in 2020, the festival was not held due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The parade is back, we have an expanded vendor area, the car show is out at Kellogg Lake,” says Neely Myers of the Carthage Chamber of Commerce.

“The band festival is also back, too,” she adds. Many of the schools weren’t allowing their kiddoes to travel last year and now they are.

It’s bigger and better and we’re really excited to bring the festival back to the community,” Myers says.

In addition to the morning parade, Saturday will feature an antique tractor show and the 50th Marching Band festival.

The day will culminate with the Carthage Senior High School reunion.