Presented By
Meet yer Marshal
Jack Rothering
The Middleton Good Neighbor Festival is proud to announce Jack Rothering as the 2025 Parade Marshal. A recent graduate of Middleton High School, Jack is not only a familiar face in the community but the festival’s most devoted fan and supporter.
Jack has been named this year’s Parade Marshal not for a single act of service, but for his unwavering love of the Good Neighbor Festival. “More than any other citizen in Middleton,” says the Festival Board, “Jack embodies the heart and spirit of our event.”
From a very young age, Jack could be seen walking the festival grounds in the week leading up to the event, checking on the setup, watching progress unfold, and offering encouragement to the volunteers and trustees who have grown to love and expect his visits. His joyful enthusiasm has become a cherished tradition as much as the festival itself.
During the school year, Jack was an active member of the Middleton High School Adaptive Sports League, a proud participant in the Cardinal Academy, and a devoted sibling cheering on his brother and sister at their athletic events. He also plays a powerful role in raising awareness of 3p Deletion Syndrome, a rare genetic condition he lives with and advocates for.
“Jack considers Good Neighbor Fest weekend to be the best weekend of the year,” says his mother, Amy Rothering. “He starts talking about it in June. He follows Wenzel Amazements on Facebook to see where they are on each weekend.”
The Middleton Good Neighbor Festival is honored to recognize Jack with the title of Parade Marshal and looks forward to seeing him lead the 2025 parade with the same joy and excitement he brings to every aspect of life.
Parades
A festival so great we couldn't keep it to just one parade. The Infinity Martial Arts Kiddie Parade kicks off the festival on Friday night and our Big Parade is on Sunday at noon.
All are welcome along the Sunday parade route which is held on Franklin Avenue onto Parmenter Street.
Are you participating in the parade? Check out parade info here:
The parade route begins at the intersection of Franklin and Branch Streets, continues the length of Franklin, then turns north on Parmenter ending at the intersection of Parmenter and North Avenue.
Sunday Parade
Sunday's Parade begins at noon, led by our heroes from the Middleton VFW, our first responders and the 2025 Parade Marshal, Jack Rothering.
As parade entries pass the Reviewing Stand located at the intersection of Franklin Street and Coolidge Court they will be evaluated for overall entertainment value and representation of The Good Matey City theme.
Prizes are awarded in the following categories:
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Best Overall
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Best Business
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Best Community - Nonprofit
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Best Entertainment
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Best Youth Group
Please join us at 3:00 pm at the Main Stage for the parade awards and meet our Good Neighbor Award winners.
Kiddie Parade
The Kiddie Parade kicks off our festival on Friday night. Lineup begins at 5 pm at the main entrance to Middleton High School on Bristol Street. The parade gets underway at 5:30 pm.
Kids are encouraged to decorate their bikes, scooters, strollers, wagons or whatever means of transportation they will use through the parade. We'd love to see your scallywags dressed up in their best pirate gear!
The first 200 participants will receive a balloon at the start of the parade and can pick up a goodie bag from Infinity Martial Arts and other Good Neighbor businesses at the end of the parade.
Join the parade!
Registration for the August 24 Good Neighbor Festival Parade has closed. All businesses, non-profits, schools, and clubs who have registered are encouraged to participate and exhibit their unique pirate spirit in support of this year's festival theme, The Good Matey City. We offer awards for various categories including Best Overall, Best Non-Profit, Best Business, Best Youth Group, and Best Entertainment. We can’t wait to see your creativity on display!
Answers to your questions about participating in the parade can be found here