The History of Mandan's Independence Day Parade

Mandan has celebrated Independence day with a parade almost as long as it has been a city. The parade has become an annual tradition for many families and has grown to be the largest parade in North Dakota.

On July 5th, 1882, a front page story appeared in the Daily Pioneer, a newspaper based in Mandan, Dakota Territory.
The story is as follows:

Mandan turns out “en masse” and Presents the Largest Turnout ever seen in Morton County.

The regular day's program was carried out in the order published with not a skip or break. The band formed in front of Liberty Hall and marched to the school house, at which place the citizens on foot and on horseback were soon congregated and a large enthusiastic procession was formed, which took its way down First Avenue across to Main and up Main to the grounds. The order of the procession was, President of the day, followed by the band; next citizens on foot, followed by horsemen, then came a long line of carriages filled with enthusiastic celebrators.

In the Mandan Pioneer on July 10, 1891, the front page column reads:

The Grand Parade

It was headed by Palmer's Bismarck Band. Following was Gov. Burke, the guest of the city, and city and county officials in carriages. Bismarck hose company No. 1 with 19 men, and after them Bismarck Fire company No. 1 nineteen men, Banner Hook and Ladder Co, sixteen men, Mandan Hook and Ladder company, sixteen men, …