Petaluma Butter & Eggs Day Parade is Cancelled for 2020
Dear Petaluma Butter & Egg Days participants and community members,
It is with a heavy heart that we must announce the cancellation of the Annual Petaluma Butter & Egg Days Parade and Festival to the impacts of COVID-19. We had initially postponed the event from April to August however we recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic is not likely to subside sufficiently at any time in 2020.
For almost 4 decades (yes, the parade turns 40 next year) the Butter & Egg Days Festival has been the heart of the Petaluma Community and we are committed to bringing this beloved Petaluma tradition back next year.
The safety, health, and wellbeing of our attendees, vendors, sponsors, and our incredible army of volunteers is our highest priority. While we anguished over our decision, we will look forward to making plans to celebrate the parade's 40th Birthday in April 2021.
The Petaluma Downtown Association sends you our heartfelt thanks for supporting local businesses, and send you there best wishes for a safe and healthy outcome for all during this stressful time of uncertainly.
The organization has a refund policy in place for all participants. Please rest assured we will be calling all vendors and participants this week.
Scroll down to click the tabs for more information.
Parade Theme: "Community - The Heart of Petaluma!"
Celebrating the generosity and compassion of our wonderful community.
ALERT! Petaluma Butter & Eggs Day Parade is Cancelled for 2020
Petaluma’s Butter & Egg Days Parade celebrates all things Petaluma, the people, history and the stories we love to tell. The 2020 theme “Community – The Heart of Petaluma!” recognizes the importance of our outstanding, engaged nonprofits, businesses, and volunteers with huge giving hearts that fuel our
community spirit. It’s what makes Petaluma such a special place to live.
The strength of Petaluma’s giving culture is well documented we are excited and honored to celebrate the generosity and compassion of those that make up the very fabric of our community.
This 39th annual parade will ask entrants to incorporate the theme “Community – The Heart of Petaluma!” into their float design. The theme gives nonprofits, businesses, organizations, and individuals lots of options for showing off their creativity in their design.
All parade entries will be judged on how well their entry portrays the Parade theme of “Community – The Heart of Petaluma!”. Some suggestions for interpreting and representing the theme include:
portraying nonprofit organizations, sharing their legacy of community engagement and volunteerism
and service clubs showing how they make a difference. Businesses and individuals can show their community spirit and support of the community with a
The Butter & Egg Day festivities kick off on April 18th with the Opening Ceremonies at the Petaluma Historical Library and Museum (20 Fourth St.), from noon to 1 p.m. Mayor Barrett will read a proclamation honoring the Grand Marshal and Good Egg.display of hearts or visuals that show the heart of our community.
One week later on Saturday, April 25th the parade steps off at noon and will march through the historic downtown, surrounded by a festival of fun and activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Clover Sonoma will return to lead the Clover Kids’ Parade, which precedes the main parade at 11:30 am with a procession of preschoolers and primary grade youngsters and their families.
Butter & Egg Days Opening Ceremonies - Cancelled
The Petaluma Downtown Association invites you to join us at the Petaluma Historical Museum (20 4th Street) on Saturday, April 18th from noon to 1pm to applaud and thank Petaluma's newest Good Egg and cheer the 2020 Grand Marshal as we count down the days to the Butter & Egg Days Parade!
Join the Cutest Little Chick Contest! - Cancelled
Petaluma Egg Farm is excited to host our 36th annual Cutest Little Chick in Town Contest.We can’t wait to see all of the creative and cute costumes!
No registrations on the day of the event. Takes place in front of Copperfield’s Book Store on Kentucky St. Check in 9:45. The contest will start at 10:15.
Pre-registration is required to participate - deadline is 4/24. Please call 707–763–0921 to pre-register.
Petaluma’s Butter & Egg Days Festival was featured in a travel blog on ResortsandLodges.com! Read the full story at Petaluma’s Butter & Egg Days Parade: Sunshine, celebration and family fun.
Presented by the Petaluma Downtown Association
- 8am to 11am: Lions Club Breakfast at Main Street across from Putnam Plaza
- 10am: Festival begins; enjoy local food, arts & craft vendors, kids activities, local businesses, non-profit booths and more!
- 10am: Cow Chip Throwing Contest (sponsored by Washington Square) in front of McNear's (23 Petaluma Blvd N.). Watch the cow chips fly and see who can land theirs the farthest!
- 10am to 12pm: Sonoma Clean Power Stage on B Street at 2nd St.
- 10:15am: Petaluma Egg Farm's Cutest Chick Contest (Call 707-763-0921 to enter!) in front of Copperfields' Books (140 Kentucky St.). Watch the little kiddos in chick attire compete for the title of the Cutest of the Cute!
- 11am-3:30pm: Beer Gardens Open at Western & Kentucky AND B & Petaluma Blvd.
- 11:15am: Sonoma Vietnamese Association Lion Dance Team as pre-parade entertainment
- 11:30am: Clover Kids' Parade steps off
- 12pm: Main parade steps off
- 2-4pm: A special dance performance at the Sonoma Clean Power Stage on B Street at 2nd St.
PS!! Don't miss the Spring Antique Faire on Sunday April 26th from 8am to 4pm on Fourth St, Kentucky St and Western Ave!!
When is the 2020 parade? Saturday, April 25th from 12 Noon to 2pm.
What is the theme? "Community - The Heart of Petaluma!" Celebrating the generosity and compassion of our wonderful community.
How do I enter my child in the Cutest Little Chick Contest? This much loved community contest takes place at the Butter & Egg Days Parade at 10:15 am in front of Copperfields Books (140 Kentucky St.). It is put on by Petaluma Egg Farms and you need to give them at call at (707) 763-0921 to sign up. Participants are invited to ride in their float in the parade after the competition as well!
What is the parade route? The parade will start at Walnut Park (4th & D Sts.), it proceeds North on Fourth St. to Kentucky St., then takes a right on Washington Street heading East, then it takes another right onto Petaluma Blvd. N. heading South and disbands at Walnut Park.
When is the festival and where is it located? The festival will start at 10 am and ends at 4 pm. We will have music, family fun activities, a multitude of food vendors, beer gardens, arts & crafts booth, sampling and more in the A Street Parking lot on 4th St., on Western Avenue between Kentucky St. and Petaluma Blvd N., on B St. and on 2nd St.
Where are the awards announced and when? The Awards ceremony for all parade categories will take place at approximately 3 pm on the steps of the Petaluma Historical Library & Museum at 20 4th Street on the corner of B & 4th Sts.
How many people attend the event? We have over 30,000 spectators, in addition to over 3,000 participants in the parade, and over 240 volunteers that help run it.
How long has this Parade been taking place? Since 1982, it's currently in it's 39th year! This event was "resurrected" from the original "Egg Days Parade" that celebrated our booming egg industry at the turn of the 20th Century. The last Egg Days Parade took place in 1926.
Why are the streets closed? There is a parade and we have to clear the streets in order to make way for it.
What streets are closed and when? There are a number of street closures:
Petaluma Boulevard between Washington St. and “D” St., from 10:30 AM to 3 PM;
- Kentucky Street between “B” Street and Washington Street, from 7 AM to 3 PM;
- Second Street between “B” Street and “D” Street, from 5 AM to 6 PM,
- Fourth Street between “I” Street and “B” Street, from 10:30 AM to 2 PM;
- Fifth Street between “I” Street and “D” Street, from 7 AM to 2 PM;
- “A” Street Parking Lot from 5 AM to 6 PM;
- “B” Street between Second Street and Petaluma Boulevard from 5 AM to 6 PM;
- “B” Street between Petaluma Boulevard and Sixth Street, from 5 AM to 6 PM;
- “C” Street between Petaluma Boulevard and Second Street, from 7 AM to 3 PM;
- “C” Street between Petaluma Boulevard and Fifth Street, from 7 AM to 3 PM;
- “D” Street between First Street and Sixth Street, from 10:30 AM to 3 PM;
- Water St. between Washington St. and Petaluma Boulevard, from 7 AM to 6 PM;
- Washington St. between Keller St. and Petaluma Blvd., from 10:30 AM to 3 PM;
- Western Avenue between Petaluma Blvd. and Keller Street, from 5 AM to 6 PM;
- “E”, “F” and “H” Streets between Fourth St. and Fifth St., from 7 AM to 3 PM
How can I drive into that area? The parade area is closed to through traffic. Only residents may drive through.
Where can I park? There is plenty of parking in the City Parking Garage on First & C Street and the City Parking Garage on Keller and Western Ave. The city also waives the 2 hr parking restriction on that day for the surrounding non-closed streets. OR, avoid parking altogether and enjoy a free ride on Petaluma Transit's clean, safe, and Wi-Fi equipped buses to the Parade:
Eastside Residents
- Live near S McDowell Blvd, Ely Blvd S, Sonoma Mtn Pkwy, Maria Drive, or E. Madison? Take Route 33 to ETC (Safeway) & transfer to Route 11 to Copeland Transit Mall and walk to the parade.
- Live near N. McDowell Blvd? Take Route 2 to ETC (Safeway) & stay on the bus, it will then go to Copeland Transit Mall (the bus becomes Route 11 once it departs ETC) and you can walk to the parade.
- Live near Lakeville Hwy, Frates Road, S. McDowell Blvd, or Caulfield? Take Route 24 to Copeland Transit Mall and walk to the parade.
Westside Residents
- Live near Petaluma Blvd N. take Route 1 to Copeland Transit Mall and walk to the parade.
What about Handicap Parking? There is handicap parking on the corner of 2nd & C Sts., which is in the City parking structure. With closures, you’ll need to enter on 1st St. (off of D St) and make a left onto C St., and then you can enter the parking garage on the left. The walk from there to the parade route on Petaluma Blvd. is one block. There is also handicap parking in the City Parking Garage on Keller and Western Ave, and it’s a very short walk to the parade route from there. There is also a handicap parking area behind the “A St. Parking Lot” which is off of 5th St. The parking lot itself is full of vendors, activities, etc. But there is an old education building on the corner of B St. and 5th St., you enter on 5th St. and there is dedicated handicap parking there. It’s right next to the A St. lot and maybe a block to the parade route on 4th St
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I’m in the parade. Where do I go? Everyone should check with whoever has organized their parade entry before the day of the event. The contact person for each unit involved in the parade is sent parade orders with when and where to show up the morning of the parade. All units line up in the surrounding neighborhoods and leave from Walnut Park at 4th and D Sts. to begin the parade route. Please don't drive through street closures, they are there for a reason. If you have a young child, please park and walk them to where they need to go. It's not safe for you or anyone else to drive through the street closures!
Who puts this on? The Petaluma Downtown Association and a volunteer committee plan the event. To contact us, call (707) 763-0344 or email ButterAndEgg@PetalumaDowntown.com.
How is the parade funded? The Butter & Egg Days Parade is funded through business sponsorships, a grant from the County of Sonoma and also from vendor fees, entrant fees, and your generous donations.
How can I help support the parade? We rely on the community’s support for this much loved event. You can sign up to be one of our 240 volunteers that help run the parade, you can donate, any amount of donation is appreciated. You can also become an Award Sponsor ($100 for one award, $250 for three) and receive sponsor recognition on one or more of the awards that will be given to the winning entries.
Where is the judging stand? In front of McNear’s (23 Petaluma Blvd. N.).
How many people are in the parade? Over 3,000 people participate with around 135 parade entries and 8 divisions. This includes: floats, horses, marching bands, novelty units and more.
Where can I see the parade? From the curb along the entire parade route.
Can I sit in the street? No. The street must be kept clear. There are horses and many large units. For safety reasons, you must stay on the curb.
What if it rains? The event goes on, rain or shine.
What are the deadlines for participating in the parade?
How do I put together a parade unit or float? It’s fun to create decorations for your parade unit, whether you’re pushing shopping carts, walking your llamas or having a float. To get some hints or tips, join us for our Float Workshop. Date and location will be announced shortly! Send us an email at ButterAndEgg@PetalumaDowntown.com to get the information.
What if I want a food booth, non-profit booth, or other vendor booth in the Festival? You simply need to download the appropriate vendor forms, or fill them out online! Find more information here.
When is the deadline for reserving booth space? We accept applications for booths at Butter & Egg Days until we run out of space.
We would love to have you partner with us for one of the largest and beloved events in the North Bay!
If you would are interested in becoming an Event Sponsor give us a call! 707-762-9348 or email Marie McCusker.
