The Celebrate Northeast Parade will step off on the evening of Tuesday, June 16. The Northeast Minneapolis Lions Club will take over organizing the parade from the Northeast Minneapolis Chamber after more than two decades, as the 97th annual tradition returns to Central Avenue NE. The Lions are seeking volunteers, sponsors and business partners. Above, Yinghua Academy students marched in the 2023 parade. (Northeaster file, Alex Schlee)
The 97th annual Celebrate Northeast Parade, long said to be the second oldest in Minnesota, will have a new organizer this year.
The Northeast Minneapolis Lions Club has agreed to take over the overall running of the parade, this year scheduled for Tuesday, June 16. For the past two decades, the parade has been hosted by the Northeast Minneapolis Regional Chamber.
The event generally attracts between 5,000 and 8,000 spectators along a 13-block route down Central Avenue NE.
A Chamber representative told the Northeaster that an overall reduction in staff led the organization to reconsider hosting the large-scale parade and seek a partner to continue the tradition. In 2025, the Lions were listed as a “presenting sponsor.”
“The Northeast Lions stepped up to keep the tradition alive,” the release said. “Our community deserves to see this parade continue. This event is part of the heart of Northeast.”
The Lions have begun to assemble a team of volunteers to chair parade divisions and continue the planning process. Regular planning meetings will continue in the coming weeks, and the Lions are inviting the entire community to join the effort.
In addition, the Lions will share website links for the three critical parts of putting on the two-and-a-half hour parade.
Help is needed for volunteers for the day of parade, volunteers for the planning committee, and sponsors and business partners for the parade. “Community involvement has always been the backbone of the Celebrate Northeast Parade, and this year that support is more important than ever.”
The Ideal Diner float at the annual Celebrate Northeast Parade recreates customers seated at the counter. (Northeaster file, Mike Madison)
For more information or to get involved email info@NELions.org.
Past parades have included Shriners, stilt walkers, bands, grand marshals, horses, classic cars, arts, candy and the famous Ideal Diner float that includes people sitting on stools at the counter.
“We’re excited to bring new energy to this long-standing tradition,” the Lions said in the release.