Grand Island Senior High Islander Band, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND — Registration is now open for the 82nd Harvest of Harmony, sponsored by Century 21 Realty and Big Red Treats.
To register for the parade on Saturday, Oct. 5, click here.
If you require a paper registration form, they are available for pickup at the Chamber office.
The parade’s roots start back in 1938 when Chamber members decided to organize an event to promote goodwill among the area small towns. That first parade, initially named the Central Nebraska Music Festival, was a rousing success with eight bands and 13 floats. An estimated 10,000 people were watching from the streets of Grand Island.
Just as the event was getting started, World War II began. The parade ceased in 1942, 1943, 1944 and 1945, due to gas rationing. Once the war ended, the parade resumed in 1946 with a new name, Harvest of Harmony, and added the Miss Harvest of Harmony Pageant.
Over the years, Harvest of Harmony has grown into one of Nebraska’s largest events. The culmination of the parade’s popularity was evident in 1996 as Harvest of Harmony broke an existing record and claimed a spot in the Guinness Book of Records as “highest number of bands marching in a parade” with 130 bands.
