2023 St. Helens Kiwanis Community Parade

Parade participants and parade watchers get ready: Saturday June 17, 2023, at noon is the St. Helens Kiwanis Community Parade! This year’s parade theme is “The Wisdom of Columbia County”.

What is “The Wisdom of Columbia County?” It is an original full-length musical composition that is written and sung by The Columbia Chorale. Eight movements of prose and poetry tell the history of the county through a series of characters—a Chinook mother and daughter, naval explorers, a frontiersman, a pioneer and settler, a logger, farmers, and a newcomer—who impart their 'wisdom' (sometimes ironically or tragically overturned) through song. It aims to unite us all in our shared history and humanity. St. Helens Kiwanis Club is looking for parade participants to embrace and create entries that reflect the past peoples of Columbia County. 

The 2023 Grand Marshal Merle Pence will have big smiles, big waves, and maybe even a “HoHoHo” for all of you. Bring your family and friends, and find your special place along Columbia Blvd. 

This year, look for the new registration and staging area. Parade check-in for all entries beings at 9 a.m. at Lifempowered (105 Port Avenue, St. Helens, OR). Staging will take place on Milton Way up to Columbia Boulevard. Folks with horses will be staged on Milton Way near the South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce.

Judging starts at 11 a.m., and the parade starts at noon.

2023 Parade Route: The parade will enter onto Columbia Boulevard from the new staging area along Milton Way. Due to construction for the Waterfront Redevelopment Project, the parade will run down Columbia Boulevard to South 4th Street. From Columbia Blvd, the parade will turn right onto South 4th Street and end at the intersection of South 4th Street and St. Helens Street. The parade will disperse from there, with parade traffic turning right onto St. Helens Street/Old Portland Road and using the St. Helens Recreation Center parking at 1810 Old Portland Road to disband.

Day-of parade registration is accepted; however, it is best to pre-register. Registration can be found on the St. Helens Kiwanis website under the News column.                                                                                                                                                                                                             

If you have any questions, please contact: st.helenskiwanisparade@gmail.com.

St. Helens Kiwanis Parade Information contact:
Lisa Lewis – 503-407-7916
Judy Thompson - 503-397-6056