KENOSHA, Wis. — Organizers of the Eric Olson Memorial St. Patrick’s Day Parade have extended the entry deadline by one week, giving community members and businesses more time to sign up for the popular downtown event.
The parade, which returns Saturday, March 14, follows an inaugural 2025 event that drew tens of thousands of visitors to downtown Kenosha. The new deadline to register is Friday, Feb. 20, 2026.
Participants are invited to enter floats, marching bands, dance groups and other entertainment. The cost to participate is $25 for nonprofit organizations and $150 for businesses. Applications are available at the Mayor’s Office or online through the events page at www.kenosha.org.
New this year is a float option designed to celebrate Kenosha’s Irish families. The parade committee will provide a shared float for participating families to ride together, along with a banner displaying the family’s last name. The entry fee for the family float is $100, and applications are also due Feb. 20.
The parade is presented by the City of Kenosha, Visit Kenosha and the Lakeshore Business Improvement District, with support from local businesses and organizations. The event steps off at 10:45 a.m. at the intersection of 50th Street and Seventh Avenue and travels through downtown before concluding at Library Park.
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2 Responses
why was the deadline extended? answer, no interest, who would want to be associated with eric olsen
The question remains: why is that name connected with a St. Patrick Day event?