09/01/2026
Hello everyone!
We are now just a little over a week away from the 66th Annual Air Force Appreciation Day Parade! Thank you all for helping make this event such a tremendous success. We are looking forward to another great parade!
I have completed the final parade lineup and submitted it to the Mountain Home News for publication in next week’s edition.
If you would like an early copy of the lineup, you can pick up a newspaper when it is released Wednesday, September 9th. Newspapers are available at most retailers around town. I usually pick mine up at Albertsons.
If you would prefer to wait, I will send a digital copy of the lineup directly to you Thursday evening.
In the meantime, here are a few important things to know about parade day:
1. Parade Lineup – Saturday, September 12th
Lineup may begin as early as 9:00 a.m. The closer your entry is to the front of the parade, the earlier you should plan to arrive and get into position.
2. Staging Area
The parade staging area is located behind Ace Hardware, near Fire Station 1, at 220 S. 2nd E., Mountain Home, ID 83647.
The parade will begin by proceeding north on 2nd E. Street, between The Stockyard Bar and Ace Hardware.
Much of the staging area is located along residential streets, so please be respectful of residents, their homes, and their property.
3. Finding Your Lineup Position
Your specific lineup number will be spray-painted on the roadway where your entry is expected to line up.
Please position your entry as close to the curb as possible to allow room for other parade entries and emergency vehicles to safely use the roadway.
If you have trouble finding your position, I will be stationed at the intersection near Fire Station 1, and volunteers will also be available on golf carts to assist you.
4. Vehicle Access & Parking
The staging area gets very crowded, so please consolidate vehicles as much as possible.
The roads will begin being blocked off at approximately 8:00 a.m. Once the area is closed, only vehicles that are actually participating in the parade will be allowed into the staging area. There will be no driving in simply to drop off people, supplies, or equipment.
5. Parade Start
The parade will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m. this year with an A-10 flyover from Gowen Field.
6. IMPORTANT SAFETY REMINDER – NO THROWING OBJECTS
As a reminder, there is absolutely NO THROWING of objects from your float, trailer, car, truck, ATV, or any other parade entry.
Throwing items into the crowd can cause children and other spectators to suddenly enter the parade route, significantly increasing the risk of an accident or injury.
If you would like to distribute candy, promotional items, or other materials, please have someone walk along the edge of the parade route and hand items directly to spectators.
If anyone from your entry is observed throwing objects into the crowd, you, and potentially your entire organization, may be asked to leave the parade. This is a safety issue, and we appreciate everyone's cooperation in helping us keep the parade safe for our participants and spectators.
7. Parade route
I have attached a copy of the parade route for your awareness.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.
We are really looking forward to seeing everyone on September 12th! It is going to be a great time, and we appreciate everything you are doing to make this year's parade a success.
Respectfully,
AJ
