Bring the kids out to “Touch a Truck.”
Manhattan Fire Protection District Photo
The Independence Day Parade is back on in Manhattan.
Manhattan city officials had canceled the 2026 Independence Day Parade due to it conflicting with a weekend of NASCAR events at the Chicagoland Speedway. The NASCAR events will take place from July 3 to 5. Because of the conflicting dates, Manhattan leaders thought that their resources – police, fire, etc. – would be stretched too thin, and decided to cancel this year’s parade.
Manhattan Mayor Mike Adrieansen spoke with Scott Slocum Friday morning during “Slocum in the Morning.” The mayor said that the city had received so many calls, texts, and social media posts from people concerned about the parade’s cancelation this year, that they decided to carry on with the parade, despite the NASCAR conflicts.
The Manhattan Independence Day Parade will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 4. The parade line up will start at 200 Second Street.
Mayor Adrieansen said it’s important to do the parade — especially this year – because it’s the 250th anniversary of our country, and it’s also the 100th anniversary of Route 66.
In addition to Saturday’s parade, the weekend will also include “Pig in the Parking Lot” and “Pig Out & Pace Yourself,” a pace yourself 5K race/walk open to all ages and all abilities.
The “Pig in the Parking Lot” features live music, and is a rib cook-off event hosted by Arrowhead Smoke Works. Up to 10 teams will participate in the cook-off, and the food and drink menu will be available all day.
The event also features “Touch a Truck,” “Little Piggy Dashes,” and face painting for the kids, making the whole day family friendly.
“Pig in the Parking Lot” takes place at Manhattan Village Hall, 260 Market Place in Manhattan.