Float Winners and the Judging Tradition
How floats are judged at the Grand Ledge St. Patrick's Day Parade — Irish theme, creativity, and all-around appeal — plus a look at past winners.
Each year the parade features more and more floats, and the float contest has become one of the celebration's most anticipated traditions. Entrants submit application forms and are placed in the lineup at the parade staging area, located at St. Michael Catholic Church in Grand Ledge.
The float judging is handled by a panel of three judges, who score each entry on three things: Irish theme, creativity, and all-around appeal. The mix keeps the contest fair for everyone — a family's homemade float can out-score a business's polished one on creativity and spirit alone.
Past float winners have included:
- 2004: Founders float
- 2005: O'Keefe family and friends
- 2006: Preston's Bar
- 2007: Preston's Bar
Thinking of entering? Start with an Irish theme, lean into creativity, and remember the judges reward all-around appeal as much as budget.