50th Parade Celebration - “Honoring the Past, Serving the Present,and Inspiring the Future”

Juneteenth Festival, Inc.

2026 Juneteenth 50th Parade Rules & Lineup Information

Rules & LineUp Information 

Parade Opening & Formation The 1.25-mile parade will begin with opening remarks at 9:30 AM, with the parade stepping off promptly at 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 13, 2026.  The parade will be led by classic and specialty vehicles, followed by registered parade divisions.

Parade Route & Timing Requirements

The parade begins across the street from Juneteenth Headquarters, approximately at 1522 Genesee St Buffalo NY 14211. 

The parade continues onto Best Street, then turns right onto Fillmore Avenue, passing the Arts & Culture Stage. At the conclusion of the parade, participants should be in the vicinity of Fillmore Avenue and French Street.

Participants should plan to meet team members and coordinate pickup along Fillmore Avenue between French Street and East Ferry Street. The parade route officially closes at 1:00 PM. Any entry that has not finished by that time will be asked to exit the route.

Motor Vehicle Requirements

Motor vehicles must be properly registered with license plates, properly inspected, and operated by a licensed driver carrying a valid insurance card. NO MOTORCYCLES PLEASE (ONLY POLICE MOTORCYCLES ALLOWED).

You may be asked to present vehicle registration, insurance, and driver’s license on the day of the parade.  Vehicle Regulations: No parking on grass, revving of engines, spinning tires, or unnecessary idling.

Vehicles parked in No Parking zones will be towed by the City of Buffalo. 

Towing Lot Location: Back of the Buffalo Museum of Science also known as the Charles Drew Science Magnet School.

Parking & Shuttle Information

Suggested Parking Locations

425 Goodyear (Parking Lot), Fougeron Street, Girard Place, Riley Street, Urban Street

Additional parking is available at East Community High School parking lot (870 Northampton Street).

Shuttle Bus Locations

Fillmore & Urban Streets, Genesee & Doat Streets

Shuttles will be available beginning at 8:00 AM on June 13, 2026.

Parade Holding Area & Lineup Instructions

All participants must arrive at their designated parade holding area at their scheduled lineup time and proceed to the number painted on the street corresponding with their assigned parade number.  Only vehicles registered in the parade may enter the parade holding areas. All other vehicles may park on nearby side streets close to their assigned location.  

Registration & Division Assignment

Your group will be assigned to Division 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 after your paid registration has been received.  All paid entries will receive a parade number which will be painted on the street at your assigned division lineup location.

Division Line Up Assignment

Division 1: Numbers 100 through 199 

Lineup at 8:00 AM Enter Genesee Street from Bailey Avenue traveling westbound. Proceed to your assigned number painted on the street between Moselle Street and Montana Street.  Please note: Div. 1 numbers may be on both sides of Genesee street. 

Division 2: Numbers 200 through 299 

Lineup at 8:00 AM Enter Colorado Street at East Ferry Street and proceed to your assigned number painted on the street. Your number may be located on Genesee Street after making a right turn and your number will not go past Montana Ave. 

Division 3: Numbers 300 through 399

Lineup at 8:30 AM. Enter Leslie Street at East Ferry Street and proceed to your assigned number painted on the street. Your number may be located on Genesee Street after making a right turn and will not go past Colorado  St.

Division 4: Numbers 400 through 499

Lineup at 8:45 AM Enter Genesee Street from Bailey Avenue and proceed to the assigned number painted on the street between Leslie Street and Bailey Avenue.

Division 5: Performance Groups & the Grand Finale. Numbers 500+ Line up at 10:30 AM Enter Moselle Street at East Ferry Street and proceed to your assigned number painted on the street between Genesee Street and East Ferry Street. (for your GPS use Pole# 390 Moselle) 

Operational Instructions 

Participants should remain near their assigned number until instructed by parade marshals. No skipping ahead or changing your assigned lineup number. Parade marshals will assist you in locating your assigned number marked on the street.  Any registered entry arriving late will be asked to join the parade at the end. Anyone not registered will be denied entry.

Important Guidelines

Distribution of Items: No throwing of items into the crowd including candy. Items may be handed out in small bags if desired.

Parade Marshals: Five to ten parade marshals will be assigned to each division to manage parade flow. Buffalo Police will assist with ensuring compliance with City of Buffalo laws and ordinances.

Compliance: Any entry found out of compliance may be removed from the parade with no refund and may be denied participation in future parades.

Medical Attention: Notify parade marshals, staff, or volunteers immediately if medical assistance is needed.

Cleanliness & Responsibility: Each entry is responsible for any damage to public or private property and must keep their area clean along the parade route.

Vehicle Regulations: No parking on grass, revving of engines, spinning tires, or unnecessary idling.

Entry Identification: All participants must be identifiable with a uniform, t‑shirt logo, name badge, or full attire.

Family Friendly Event: No provocative attire, swearing, explicit music lyrics, or inappropriate behavior will be permitted.

Performance Areas

This Year’s Theme: Honoring the Past, Serving the Present and Inspiring the Future! 

If your group plans to perform choreographed routines, your entry will be positioned in Division 5 which serves as the Grand Finale of the parade.

All performance pieces must be created with the movement of the parade in mind and performers must adhere to the one‑minute performance limit.

Performance Area 1 – Main Stage – First Timothy Baptist Church (1463 Genesee St, Buffalo NY 14211)

Performance Area 2 – On Best St near Fillmore Ave 

Scoring & Pink Slips

Performance outside of designated performance zones or performances exceeding one minute may result in a pink slip issued by parade marshals. Two pink slips issued to the same group will result in disqualification from the competition. If a group continues to violate performance rules, a parade marshal may escort the group out of the parade and require a meeting with the Parade Chair before participation in future parades.

Parade Pace & Judging

The parade is expected to conclude by 1:00 PM. Gaps between units will be closed and enforced by parade marshals.

Judging will be conducted by parade judges at the Main Stage at First Timothy Baptist Church (1463 Genesee St, Buffalo NY 14211)

Awards Ceremony

The Awards Ceremony will be held at the Arts and Culture Stage located at Fillmore Avenue and North Parade Avenue at approximately 3:00 PM.

Thank you for being part of the 2026 Juneteenth Parade! 

Juneteenth Festival Inc. | Buffalo NY | 50th Anniversary | Page 1

Juneteenth Parade Waiver - Terms and Conditions

By participating in the Juneteenth Parade, you (the "Participant") acknowledge and agree to the following terms and conditions:

1. General Agreement

By submitting an entry into the parade, you agree to adhere to all rules, regulations, and guidelines set forth by the Juneteenth of Buffalo Parade Committee. Failure to comply with these rules may result in removal from the parade without a refund.

2. Release of Liability

You agree to release, discharge, and hold harmless Juneteenth Festival, Inc., its employees, volunteers, sponsors, the City of Buffalo, and any other affiliates or organizers from any claims, injuries, losses, or damages (including property damage) arising out of or related to your participation in the parade.

3. Medical Treatment

In the event of an emergency requiring medical attention, you authorize the Parade staff or volunteers to seek necessary medical treatment on your behalf. You also agree to bear all costs associated with such medical treatment.

4. Participant Responsibility

Each entry is responsible for any damage caused to public or private property during the parade assembly, procession, and disbursement. The participant is also responsible for ensuring their area is kept clean along the parade route and that all materials are disposed of in accordance with City of Buffalo ordinances.

5. Safety and Compliance

Participants agree to follow all safety instructions from Parade Marshals, Parade Staff, and the Buffalo Police. Non-compliance with safety guidelines or City of Buffalo laws may result in removal from the parade.

6. Image and Media Consent

By participating, you grant permission to the Juneteenth of Buffalo Parade Committee and its affiliates to photograph, record, or videotape you and your entry during the parade. These images may be used for promotional purposes, media coverage, or archival purposes without compensation.

7. Performance and Behavior

Participants agree to maintain appropriate behavior during the parade. This includes refraining from provocative attire, inappropriate language, or offensive music. 

8. No Refunds

There will be no refunds for any reason, including ejection from the parade for non-compliance with the rules or regulations.

9. Indemnification

The undersigned group representative hereby, release, and forever discharge Juneteenth Festival, Inc., its officers and directors, severally or jointly, the Juneteenth of Buffalo Parade Committee and all volunteers of all liability, claims, actions, and probable causes of action which may accrue to any members of the groups from every and any loss, damage, and injury (including death) that may be sustained while participating in the parade."

10. Modification of Terms

The Juneteenth Festival, Inc. reserves the right to modify these terms and conditions at anytime. Participants will be notified of any changes, and continued participation in the parade will indicate acceptance of these modified terms