Staging Area and Parade Route

The parade will begin at 12th & Kansas and proceed east on 12th Street to Quincy. It will then turn north on Quincy to 6th St., where it will turn left. It will travel west on 6th to Kansas Ave. and will proceed SB on Kansas Ave. to 10th St. where it will disband on the corner of 10th & Harrison.

Information, Rules & Regulations

The Miracle on Kansas Avenue parade will be on Saturday, November 27, 2010. It will begin at 6:00pm. Those wishing to enter the parade must be at the Judicial Center Parking lot to line up by 4:00pm. There will be a 4 mile Run/2 mile Walk prior to the parade that will benefit the Topeka Rescue Mission called the Miracle on Kansas Avenue Rescue Run. If you have further questions, please refer to our FAQ's page or call Downtown Topeka, Inc.


Rules & Regulations for participation in the
Miracle on Kansas Avenue Holiday Parade

1. All entries must be lighted.- Since this is a night time parade, the entries into the parade must be lit. We prefer Christmas lights, but groups may use battery operated candles, glowing lights, etc. The use of open flames is discouraged, unless they are contained (e.g. Hot Air Balloons).

2. All entries must reflect the holiday theme.- Since this is a holiday parade, the holiday theme is important! The theme isn't necessarily Christmas, but a winter holiday. This encompasses Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, Christmas, Boxing Day, Festivus, Chrismahanukwanzakah, etc. Whatever holiday you celebrate, or no holiday at all! It’s a beautiful time of year. Lets all enjoy it.

3. NO THROWING CANDY- Absolutely NONE. In past years, the throwing of candy from floats has been discouraged but people have continued to do so. If you wish to pass out candy from your entry, you MUST have walkers who walk NEXT to the curb and pass out candy. If you are seen tossing candy from a moving vehicle, your entry will be pulled from the parade. This is non-negotiable and is for the safety of the parade goers…especially the children.

4. Entry Donation- The Miracle on Kansas Avenue committee is a group of community volunteers. We are asking for a $10 donation. This donation will help to offset costs for the parade barricades used to close the street, portable toilets, etc.

We believe.....

"City Sidewalks-
Busy Sidewalks-
Dressed in Holiday style...
In the air, there's a feeling of Christmas."
-Jay Livingston & Ray Evans

Many Topekans start off the holiday season by coming to, or being involved in, the Miracle on Kansas Avenue parade. The Miracle on Kansas Avenue (also called MKA) tradition began in 1995 as a project by the Leadership Topeka class. They designed MKA not only as part of the holidays, but to celebrate the accomplishments made in redeveloping downtown. The thought behind it was that for many, downtown Topeka hearkens back to the holidays of their youth. Spending time in the shops, having a soda with their mother or father, and doing Christmas shopping.

The Miracle on Kansas Avenue Christmas Parade will be held on November 27, 2010 and will begin at 6:00 pm.

If you are interested in volunteering to assist with parade logistics, or donating to the cause, please contact Downtown Topeka Inc., at 234-9336 or email dti@sbcglobal.net.

F.A.Q.'s

Frequently asked questions

Q. Can I bring my RV and sit in it to watch the parade?
A. If you plan to park along the route to view the parade, please keep in mind that no vehicle larger than a standard pick-up will be allowed to park along the parade route.

Q. How big can my float be?
A. Floats should be no wider than 8 feet and no taller than 13'6", in order to clear power lines, etc.

Q. We want to use a DJ on our float. Is that OK?
A. Please do not use generators to power music. Keep in mind, this is a family event. Please limit yourself to holiday music that is family friendly.

Q. Can we use a confetti cannon on the float?
A. To ensure that our city stays beautiful, please do not plan to use or throw any confetti, either by hand or via cannon.

Q. We want to pass out candy and beads, is that allowed?
A. If you wish to distribute candy or anything else, please plan to have people walking beside your float. Additionally, if you begin the parade walking, you must walk for the duration of the parade. If you are on a float, you must stay on the float. This is for the safety of all participants and parade goers and to ensure a happy and safe holiday season.

Q. I am (my kid is) part of a band, where should we plan to meet?
A. Unless other arrangements are made by the band leader, bands will be told to meet on the back steps of the Judicial Center. You will not be allowed to enter the park in the parking lot of the Judicial Center, either to drop off or to park. Parking will be allowed on the other side of Harrison.

Q. Why don't you allow throwing candy from the float? And why can't I walk part way and then get up on the float and ride?
A. Nationwide, hundreds of people are injured or killed each year in parade related accidents. Sometimes it happens when they are trying to climb aboard a moving float and fall off, either hitting their heads or being caught under the wheels. Sometimes it happens when a child darts out to get a piece of candy and is hit by an oncoming vehicle. Whatever the case, Topeka has been fortunate to not have any serious injuries or deaths related to any of our celebrations. We want to keep it that way.