Carmelfest Independence Day Parade
SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, July 4, 2026 | Meeting at 9am
Registration CLOSED.
Registration CLOSED.
Awarded "Best Costume" in 2025
Must be an Active NCI Individual or Club Member to participate.
Please review event information and fill out reservation form below.
NCI Participants must be in cultural attire for parade. Sign-ups due by June 21st.
Please review event information and fill out reservation form below.
NCI Participants must be in cultural attire for parade. Sign-ups due by June 21st.
Gathering Time: 9am begins check-in with Board President Marlon Alfonso. Group photo will be taken 40 minutes before parade start. Please have NCI-provided flags ready. We will tentatively step into parade at 10:30am. There will be about 2,500 people at the gathering site. Please stay close to our unit and pay attention to instructions.
Gathering Site: Merchant's Square Mall, north parking lot (NW corner of roundabout of Keystone Ave & 116th St). Look for our unit.
Parking: Parade will end at Carmel High School. If you park near Merchant's Square Mall, be prepared to walk from high school to mall upon end of parade. There may be school bus shuttles provided by Carmelfest, but it is not guaranteed.
Leading Organizations: We will have multiple subgroups in our unit and registering with us is required. As in the Indy 500 Parade, our NCI Queen and Court will lead the parade followed by Board Members and a representation of flags. Following the flags will be each subgroup of clubs who may lead their group with their own banner. Please designate one or two participants from your club to hold your country's flag at the front of the parade group. Please return all flags to Board President Marlon Alfonso at end of parade.
Waiver: Please review the Rules & Regulations of the Carmelfest Parade, print the last page, and bring your completed copy with you to the gathering to be collected at check-in. Participants with no signed waiver will be declined to participate.
Gathering Site: Merchant's Square Mall, north parking lot (NW corner of roundabout of Keystone Ave & 116th St). Look for our unit.
Parking: Parade will end at Carmel High School. If you park near Merchant's Square Mall, be prepared to walk from high school to mall upon end of parade. There may be school bus shuttles provided by Carmelfest, but it is not guaranteed.
Leading Organizations: We will have multiple subgroups in our unit and registering with us is required. As in the Indy 500 Parade, our NCI Queen and Court will lead the parade followed by Board Members and a representation of flags. Following the flags will be each subgroup of clubs who may lead their group with their own banner. Please designate one or two participants from your club to hold your country's flag at the front of the parade group. Please return all flags to Board President Marlon Alfonso at end of parade.
Waiver: Please review the Rules & Regulations of the Carmelfest Parade, print the last page, and bring your completed copy with you to the gathering to be collected at check-in. Participants with no signed waiver will be declined to participate.
Special thanks go to IACA and their Lion Dance Team for coordinating this annual event with Carmelfest and recommending us for annual participation.
PLEASE NOTE: The parade will be live-streamed once again this year on the CBS4 Indy Facebook page. Cameras will be located at the review stand so please alert everyone in your unit to look left toward Flanner and Buchanan on Carmel Drive, perform as you pass by, and SMILE!