PARADE

Friday March 3, 2023 - Steps off at 6PM

Starting at Arnold’s – Cincinnati’s oldest saloon – the Bockfest parade is traditionally lead by a goat pulling a keg and the reigning Sausage Queen along with the official parade marshal. It travels up Sycamore Street to 12th Street to Main Street to McMicken Avenue to Bockfest Hall and ends with the blessing of the bock beer. This officially marks the beginning of a weekend of festive celebration that might end in blaming a goat on your horizontal position. Goats, the German Renaissance, beer, irreverence and originality are all highly esteemed aspects of a parade entry. There are no fire trucks for the kids. In the past, entries have included faux-monks pulling a Trojan goat, GoatBusters, German beer bands, keg-men, goats on Segways, Bockalypse, "Bockter" Suess, and patriotic chants of “drink more beer.”

The Bockfest Parade will be held on Friday March 3, 2023. The parade will start to form in front of Arnold’s Bar and Grill, located at 210 East 8th Street, at 5:00PM and steps off on at 6:00PM. The Bockfest Parade is Cincinnati’s funkiest and most entertaining parade. It can be watched from the street or from a number of participating venues along the route.

We encourage anyone to enter, especially if you create a float or have a unique entry.

Registration is required and is now closed.

Parade Registration

We encourage anyone to enter, especially if you create a float or have a unique entry. The overall Best of Bock receives a special custom trophy to be presented at Bockfest Hall at the conclusion of the parade, along with special awards for Best Costumed, Best Animal, Best Music, Best Group, Best Bar or Restaurant, Best Brewery or Home-brew, Best German Theme, and Main Street Choice Award, and others. Registration is REQUIRED and is now closed. Tax-deductible donation for each entry of $25 for non-profits/community groups, $50 general entry, $100 politicians is REQUIRED HERE.

All parade participants must follow Cincinnati city regulations including:

All floats and/or vehicles that have riders must have safety lines or retaining devices that will prevent occupants from falling off the vehicle. There must also be a handrail or safety line for riders to grip.
Float Construction:
- The decorative skirt shall be kept not less than two inches above the surface of the street.
- All material used in the construction of a parade float shall meet the "Field Test: Match Flame Test" as described in NFPA Standard No. 701, title "Fire Tests for Flame-Resistant Textiles and Films," of date designated in Appendix A.
- A parade float shall be so constructed that no part of the decorations can come in contact with or is directly exposed to any part of the vehicle's exhaust system.
- Any exhaust systems that extend beyond the decoration shall be covered with noncombustible material.
- A parade float shall be so constructed that the driver of the vehicle can easily escape from the driver's position in case of fire.
- The driver cubicle shall be properly ventilated.
A parade float shall be properly serviced for gasoline, oil, water, battery and tire pressure before entering any parade. Auxiliary supplies of gasoline, oil or other fuel shall not be carried on the parade float.
Smoking and the use of open flame shall not be permitted on any parade float.
A parade float shall be equipped with not less than one Type 2A portable fire extinguisher, which shall be readily accessible in case of fire.
No passing out/throwing of candy, trinkets, literature from the parade to parade viewers.

Parade Awards

Main Street OTR, where it all began! All parade prizes are provided by Merchants of Main Street OTR, incorporating hand crafted awards and "Best of Bock 2023" pint glass prizes etched with special logo by Jim Effler.

Grand Marshall: TBA