Gemeutlichkeit Days Parade

Starting at Noon on Sunday, September 17th

Gemuetlichkeit Days has one of the finest parades in southern Wisconsin.

 The parade will take place on Sunday, September 17th, 2023 at noon.


We have floats from many area businesses, civic & service groups and clubs as well as youth organizations. Prize money and certificates are awarded for first, second and third place in a variety of categories. The parade is open to any and all who wish to apply. As long as you follow the simple rules and meet our broad entry criteria, you are welcome to join us for a great hometown style parade. The entry deadline is August 22, 2023.


You will receive your line up number about a week or two before the parade. Parade entrants line up on the south side of Jefferson.

We ask that you do NOT stop or park on the parade route when you turn right on Wilson Street at the end of the parade. Please park and stop on side streets off of Wilson Street. Thank you.

If you have any questions you can contact Sarah Bieck at 920-203-0807 and leave a message or email her at bieck789@gmail.com. You may also send your inquiry to:                                 

Gemuetlichkeit Days Parade
P.O. Box 242
Jefferson, WI  53549

2021 Parade Sponsors

  • Ashburn Bucket & Brush
  • Astell's Best Little Hair House 
  • Awaken Salon and Wellness Spa
  • ChemAir Helicopters 
  • City of Jefferson
  • County City Credit Union
  • Edward Jones
  • Felton Electric
  • Festival Foods 
  • Fort Health Care
  • Fort Tax Service
  • Griffin of Jefferson
  • Jefferson Current Electric
  • Jefferson Utilities
  • Luedtke Plumbing 
  • Neighbors at 13 East
  • Premier Bank
  • Rob's Performance Powersports 
  • Schneider-Michaelis Funeral Home
  • Subway
  • The Drug Store
  • Thompson & Co.
  • Volk Chiropractic

2021 Parade Line-Up

(Subject to Change)

TBA

A special thank you to our 2021 Parade Sponsors.

Gemuetlichkeit Days Parade Rules and Information

Parade Rules & Information – Please read the following and share it with all of your parade entrants/participants

  1. All participants agree to hold Gemuetlichkeit Days Inc., the Board of Directors and agents of the organization harmless for any and all damages from participation in the Gemuetlichkeit Days parade or related activities. This agreement is implied by the return of the entry sheet.  Judged unit should display entry number on driver’s side of unit for judges to see.

  2. No one shall throw candy or any other objects onto the street or into the crowd. Children will run into the street after these items and could be injured. Please walk the curb line to hand out items or information. Any unit that does not follow this rule will be removed from the parade.

  3. Any unit that uses domestic live animals as a part of the unit or presentation is required to furnish proof of insurance for coverage of a parade or exhibition event. Homeowner’s policies will not be accepted unless the coverage is specified. Any unit that does not follow this rule will be removed from the parade.

  4. A unit must be at least 75% decorated to be considered for float competition. The theme for the parade is “Oktoberfest”. Decorating to this theme can add points to your score. The tow vehicles need not be decorated. You must be able to maintain a fast walking pace to avoid spacing problems.

  5. Advertising is allowed, but it should not be the only decoration or theme of a judged entry. A float may have a sponsor’s name on it. Banners ahead of the float or tow vehicle are allowed.

  6. This parade is for the entertainment of the crowd. Please do not try to make a controversial message or point with your entry. You are allowed to distribute handouts in an orderly manner at the curb. Please do not force people to take or read your material. The editorial page of the newspaper is better for this activity.

  7. The Jefferson Police require that you be in your line up spot by 11:15 AM. If you are not in your spot, the police will not let you in. This is required to control the flow of traffic before the parade and to clear the parade route. Please do not ask to arrive late. We can do nothing to change this requirement.

  8. Confirmation of entry forms is not sent out. If you enter on time you are in the parade. Line up numbers and maps will be sent out after September 10th, 2018. When you receive your number, PLEASE INFORM ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR GROUP OF THE NUMBER & THE TIME. We will have an information booth in the Stauffer/Klug Insurance lot on south HWY. 26 (S Main St) with maps if you need them. We will also have volunteers in the area who can assist you.

  9. School buses or other large vehicles are not allowed in the parade. A smaller support vehicle such as cars or vans may be used to carry water or extra instruments for bands. Trailers or other vehicles used to haul the float must be left at the start or the end of the parade.

  10. Be sure to include the length of your unit on the entry form so we can give you enough room in the start up area. We have very little shade and no water available for animals. We also ask that you shovel up after the animals in the set up area & parade route.

  11. The completion of the parade is when you turn off of Highway 18 (E Racine St) onto Wilson Street. NO units will be allowed to load up or dismantle on Wilson Street. Please turn onto Milwaukee Street, Dodge Street or proceed ahead to Linden Drive (Stoppenbach Park) to unload. Please comply with parade official direction.

  12. We will have an awards presentation at the judges’s stand on South Main Street about 20 minutes after the parade. If you are entered in judging, PLEASE have someone at the awards presentation to pick up your award should you win. Awards not claimed at the end of the parade will be out at the Jefferson County Fair Park Sunday night and will not be sent out later. They may be picked up at the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce office after September 20, 2017.

Have a good time and enjoy the Gemuetlichkeit Days Parade. Your cooperation will make our job easier and mean more fun for all involved. Please, no alcohol in view on the parade route. We ask that you pick up any trash and stay off public property. We will have porta potties at two locations for your use.  They are marked on the line up map.

The Parade Committee:
Sarah Bieck, Chairperson
920-203-0807 or E-Mail bieck789@gmail.com

2019 Gemeutlichkeit Days Parade Entry Form

Gemuetlichkeit Days Inc. would like to invite you and/or your group to our Gemuetlichkeit Days Parade. We feel we have one of the finest parades in the State of Wisconsin and we hope to make this year our best effort yet. With this in mind we would like you to check our event calendar for Sunday, September 15th, 2019 at noon. Line up begins at 10:30 am and all units must be in place by 11:15 am. If you have this date open and wish to join in celebration of our German Heritage, please fill out the form below and return it to the address listed above no later than August 18th, 2019.

Prize money and certificates are awarded for first, second and third place in the following categories, plus an additional award for BEST OF SHOW:
Category 1:  CIVIC & SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
Category 2:  BUSINESS 
Category 3:  YOUTH GROUP & FAMILY FLOATS
Category 4: COLOR GUARD/MILITARY

Our THEME for 2019 is “Oktoberfest”. Decorating to this theme in the float categories will add points to your score!

Please take a moment to look over the rule and information sheet. We hope to see you in September!

Please include press release information or other data for your unit. We will attempt to get as much press coverage as possible and we also need information on your unit for our parade announcer. If you have any questions or comments, please drop us a line and we will try to assist you. Line up and route information will be sent out after September 9th, 2019. For further information, call Sarah Bieck at (920) 203-0807, or E-Mail at bieck789@gmail.com and leave a message.

The 2019 Gemuetlichkeit Days Parade Committee

Please download and fill out all spaces that apply to your unit. Entry Deadline: AUGUST 18, 2019.

Mail all parade entries to:

Gemuetlichkeit Days Inc.
P. O. Box 242
Jefferson, WI 53549

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