The Cleveland Veterans Day Parade invites parade participants to compete in the Best Parade Display/Float Contest. Entries will be judged on their tribute to our nation's heroes and the spirit of America's 250th Anniversary. Two category winners will each receive a $1,000 prize.

There are two separate prize categories. Each category winner receives a $1,000 prize:

Entry is included as part of your parade registration — no separate application required.

• Visit clevelandveteransdayparade.com/participate to sign up for the parade.
• Complete the entry question during the sign-up process to indicate your intent to compete.
• All entries must be submitted by October 30, 2026.

Participants must register for the Cleveland Veterans Day Parade and select the appropriate category (Nonprofit or Organization) during registration. Entries must meet all parade participation requirements.

• All floats and displays must be able to fit through the streets of Downtown Cleveland.
• Floats must be capable of being easily disassembled following the parade, if necessary.
• All displays must comply with the Cleveland Veterans Day Parade's standard participation guidelines.
• Displays should reflect the contest theme: Best Tribute to Our Heroes — America 250.

Entries will be evaluated by a three-judge panel:

• One representative from VFW Post 2133 (contest sponsor)
• Two celebrity judges — to be announced at a future date
• Judges will be positioned at a designated location on the parade route.

Judges will score each entry on a 100-point scale across the following criteria:

Winners will be selected separately within each category (Nonprofit and Organization).

Winners will be announced at the Celebration of Veterans at Skylight Concourse, Tower City, at approximately 1:30 PM on November 11, 2026.

• $1,000 payouts will be made to two Greater Cleveland nonprofits within two weeks of all requested information being sent to info@clevelandveteransdayparade.com.
• The nonprofit category winner will receive funds directly after completing and submitting a W-9 form.
• The organization category winner must notify the parade committee of their selected Greater Cleveland nonprofit/charity — including organization name and contact information — within 7 days of being announced as a winner.
• Payouts will be issued by the fiscal agent of the Cleveland Veterans Day Parade: Rid-All Green Partnership.

• Participants must complete their entry by the October 30, 2026 deadline.
• Floats and displays must conform to all Cleveland Veterans Day Parade safety and participation guidelines.
• All displays must be family-friendly and respectful of the veterans and military community.
• The decisions of the judging panel are final.
• Contest organizers reserve the right to disqualify any entry that does not meet the requirements.
• By entering, participants grant the Cleveland Veterans Day Parade permission to use photos and videos of their display for promotional purposes.

• If the winning nonprofit or organization does not respond within 10 days of being announced as a winner, the prize proceeds will be directed to Rid-All Green Partnership's Veterans Program.