Bockfest Parade

Friday, March 2, 2012 steps off at 6PM

Starting at Arnold's - Cincinnati's oldest saloon - the Bockfest parade is traditionally led by a goat pulling a keg and the reigning Sausage Queen along with the official parade marshal. It travels up Main Street to Bockfest Hall and ends with the blessing of the bock beer. This officially marks the beginning of a weekend of festive celebration that might end in blaming a goat on your horizontal position. Goats, the German Renaissance, beer, irreverence and originality are all highly esteemed aspects of a parade entry. There are no fire trucks for the kids. In the past, entries have included faux-monks pulling a Trojan goat, futon queens, German beer bands, a four-poster bed pulled by slave labor, goats on Segways, a leather-clad mistress with a huge whip, and patriotic chants of "drink more beer." As usual, you can bring your favorite canine to walk with "The Bocking Dogs."

The Bockfest Parade will be held on Friday March 2, 2012. The parade will start to form in front of Arnold's Bar and Grill, located at 210 East 8th Street, at 5:30PM and steps off on Main Street at 6:00PM. The Bockfest Parade is Cincinnati's funkiest and most entertaining parade. It can be watched from the street or from a number of participating venues along the route.

It is free to enter, without advance notice (however you must register that evening at 5:30PM for a final space). We encourager anyone to enter, especially if you create a float or have a unique entry. The best entry receives a special trophy to be presented at Bockfest Hall at the conclusion of the parade, along with special awards for Best New Entry, Best Old Friend, Best Use of Music, Best Use of Beer, Best Hat, Best Bocking Dog, Best Bicycle Entry, Best Alternative Transportation Entry, Most Germans in Tracht, and Best Bockfest Venue.

Don't forget to call our sponsor Decal Impressions for any parade banners or signage you need!

Bockfest Hall is noted in RED on the map below, participating venues are noted in GREEN, and the parade route in RED.

View Bockfest 2012 in a larger map

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