32 Items that Are Way Better Than Tootsie Rolls at Minnesota Parades

You know it is summer in the midwest when people line their chairs up and lay blankets out to save their spot for the local parade.  I was driving through Wisconsin a few weekends ago, apparently on a soon-to-be parade route and there were bunches of chairs on the edges of curbs all down main street.  And of course, I had to check out Fort Dodge, Iowa's parade for Frontier Days and once again, chairs and blankets lined up staking claim to yards and cement slabs trusting that people will respect the "parade reserve rules" that don't exist.  And I know those chairs will start showing up on Friday for the Rochesterfest parade that is all set for Saturday, June 25th in Rochester, Minnesota.

Don't believe me, go drive the parade route Friday night.  You'll see what I'm talking about.  And in case you need it, you can find the parade route and all the Rochesterfest parade details here.

32 Items That Are Way Better Than Toosie Rolls at a Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, or Wisconsin Parades

If you are a business getting ready for the big candy throwing day, I am going to plead with you NOT to buy Tootsie Rolls.  No one really wants those, especially those nasty fruit flavored ones.  Instead of spending your dollars on those worthless pieces of candy, check out these items to throw at the parade-goers instead.

What item would you want to get at a parade?

Is there something missing on the list that you'd love to get at a parade?  Let me know!  Send me a message over on my Facebook Page - Jessica On The Radio, on Instagram, or you can send me an e-mail at jessica.williams@townsquaremedia.com.

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Here's what's happening in Rochester, Minnesota on the 4th of July.

There are a bunch of fun events happening all over Southeast Minnesota for the 4th of July, including the 4th Fest in Rochester, Minnesota.  Below are a few details of what to expect that day in Rochester.