City of Nelsonville, Ohio Information Blog

The City of Nelsonville would like to remind everyone of parade viewing safety tips to ensure everyone enjoys their time at the 76^th annual Parade of The Hills Festival, Grand Parade, Saturday, August 22, 2026. The Grande Parade Lineup for General Units is from 3:00PM until 5:30PM at Poplar Street Near Kroger To Register visit paradeofthehills.org.

The Grande Parade is scheduled to start at 6:00PM from Harper & Poplar Streets through downtown Nelsonville.

Parade Viewing Safety Tips

Crowd and Child Safety

• Take a photo of your children before the parade so you have an up-to-date picture in case anyone gets separated.
• Teach your kids their name, your phone number, and point out uniformed police officers or security personnel to approach for help.
• Use the buddy system for older children or large groups to ensure everyone is always accompanied by an older person.
• Set a meeting spot as a backup location to regroup if your party gets lost in the crowd.

Viewing Area Rules

• Stay behind barriers and respect all designated viewing areas or marked safety lines.
• Follow event rules regarding where and when you can place chairs, tents, or viewing ladders.
• Keep sidewalks clear and avoid blocking intersections, driveways, or emergency exit pathways.

Interacting with Floats

• Never run into the street to grab candy or trinkets, as large vehicles and floats cannot stop quickly.
• Protect your fingers by stepping on dropped items first and retrieving them only after the float has completely passed.
• Do not touch the floats, marchers, or performers, and never throw items back at the riders.

Weather and Health

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, especially during long outdoor parades.
• Dress for the weather by wearing comfortable walking shoes, and protect yourself from the sun with hats, sunglasses, and sunblock.
• Check the forecast before leaving your home and seek immediate, safe shelter if you hear thunder or see severe weather approaching.

Have a safe and memorable time at The Parade of The Hills Grand Parade and always keep safety your #1 priority!

The City of Nelsonville would like to remind everyone of basic safety tips to ensure everyone enjoys their time at the 76^th annual Parade of The Hills Festival, August 19th to 22nd, 2026.

General Safety Tips

• Pay attention to weather forecasts and prepare appropriately.
• Be sure to use sunscreen and sunglasses to protect you from harmful UV rays.
• Remember, even on overcast days UV rays are still powerful enough to burn skin so remember to use sunscreen.
• On hot days make sure you drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
• Wear closed toe shoes like tennis shoes, not flip-flops or sandals, to protect your feet.
• Be aware of your surroundings and know where you will go if you need to seek shelter from an unexpected thunderstorm.
• Remember “If you see something, say something.” If you see people or activities that seem suspicious, report your observations to the Police Department by calling 9-1-1.
• Teach kids to stay calm and stay put if they are separated from parents or other caregivers. Knowing what to do in this scary situation will help prevent a lost child from panicking and help safety officials locate them faster.

Safety tips for kids and caregivers

• Keep a watchful eye on children. It’s easy for children and caregivers to become separated in large crowds.
• Have an established family plan of a location where you will meet if separated.
• Make a “missing parent’ contact tag your children can wear with your name and cell phone number in case your child becomes separated.
• If you do become separated from your child, notify the Police Department.

Amusement Ride Safety Tips

• Don’t board a ride if you see broken parts, signs of improper maintenance, or an inattentive operator.
• Read all posted rules and listen to instructions given by ride operators.
• Watch the ride with your child before boarding. Point out the operator and the entrance and exit locations prior to riding. Make sure they understand the instructions and warnings fully.
• Keep all body parts (hands, arms, legs, long hair, etc.) inside the ride at all times. If you have long hair, keep it pulled up with a hat or hair tie.
• If you can’t count on your child to stay seated with hands and feet inside, don’t let them ride.
• Always use the safety equipment provided (seat belt, shoulder harness, lap bar, etc.).
• Obey minimum height, age, and weight restrictions. Never sneak children onto rides if they are too small or too young. A smaller/younger child may not be physically or developmentally able to stay safely seated.
• Remain in the ride until it comes to a complete stop at the unloading point. If a ride stops temporarily due to mechanical failure or other reasons. Stay seated and wait for an operator to give you further instructions.
• Know your physical condition and limitations. If you suspect that your health could be at risk for any reason, or you could aggravate a pre-existing condition of any kind, do not ride.

Have a safe and memorable time at The Parade of The Hills and always keep safety your #1 priority!

The City of Nelsonville regrets to inform the public that the Nelsonville Public Square fountain will not return to the public square until after the Parade of The Hills Festival. The fountain was scheduled to be placed on August 17, 2026, unfortunately mother nature had other plans. The concrete basin for the fountain could not be finished in time due to the unusually heavy rain we have experienced lately.

The Nelsonville Public Square fountain is now scheduled to be placed on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, if mother nature cooperates. The City of Nelsonville apologizes for this delay, but we want to make sure everything is done correctly so the Nelsonville Public Square fountain can return to its place of honor since 1904 and continue to be enjoyed by the public for many years to come. Thank you for your patience and understanding in this matter.