Northside parade looking for entrants

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The Northside Neighborhood Watch group is looking to put on the biggest and best Northside Parade yet in 2026 to honor the last year of Lafayette being a high school.

The Northside Parade is expected to take place on Saturday, April 18.

Organizers Pat Jones and John Holland shared that this year's grand marshal will be anyone who attended or is currently attending Lafayette High School. This is to pay tribute to the last year of the longtime northside school being a high school.

Although this parade is happening and celebrates the north side of the city, Holland shared the event is meant for the entire city.

"We want to get as many people involved as we can. This school has been around forever, over 100 years, and we'd like to, and we would like to see someone represent the school as far as honoring it," Holland said. "The City of St. Joe is what we're reaching out to. So we're wanting to make it one big last hurrah."

The deadline to sign up for the Northside Parade is March 25. The entry fee is canned-goods donations, which will be donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank.

The group is not just looking for entrants for the parade; however, anyone 16 years old and up is welcome to help with different parts of the setup and processes, according to Jones.

"Needing help to put the orange cones up to stop the traffic from coming through on the parade route. So we need 16-year-olds. The Police say they've got to be 16. So we need help there," Jones said.

Jones said many activities will be featured at Fire Station 12, located at 2807 St. Joseph Ave.

For more information on how to sign up to take part or help, contact President Pat Jones at 816-205-1960 or Vice President John Holland at 816-344-8576.