Harvest of Harmony 2023, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska today)

GRAND ISLAND – The 82nd annual Harvest of Harmony Parade kicks off at 8:15 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, in downtown Grand Island.

This year’s parade will feature 83 bands and 112 floats, said Nellie Venegas, vice president of the Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce.

New to the parade this year is that it will be streamed live on the Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page.

“It hasn’t been televised since 2021 due to copyright issues” for music, Venegas said. The name of the Facebook page is Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce.

Todd Wainwright of Amur Equipment Finance is the grand marshal for the parade. The Grand Island Senior High School band marches at the end of the parade.

The cross-country meet begins at 11 a.m. on Oct. 5 at Grand Island Senior High School.

The band that travels the most miles to the parade is Crofton Community Schools, which travels 155 miles one way, Venegas said.

“We are happy that sunny and warm weather is forecast,” Venegas said.