The first week in September every year, the Riverside neighborhood hosts a parade and block party. It’s a tradition that started with a party in 1925 to celebrate when the city finished paving Harding Street.
But this year’s Riverside parade has been canceled. The Riverside Civic League — the neighborhood association that plans the event — posted a letter to Facebook Aug. 23 announcing the decision.
Steve Downing Jr., the league’s president, emphasized that the parade isn’t gone forever.
Downing took over his role in January, the same month that the league got a new board. The new leaders didn’t have enough time to build relationships with sponsors and plan the logistics of the parade.
It was only in 2025 that the Riverside Civic League took over the parade planning. For years, the Lillian Davis Foundation planned the event.
“I wanted my first year as president to, of course, carry the torch for the parade,” Downing said. “I didn’t want to take a break, so I think I’m the one who’s most kind of let down.”
Instead, the volunteers who were signed up, the cars ready for the route and the funds raised will be used to prepare for the 2027 parade early.
So far, he said, neighbors have been supportive. Downing said four people suggested waiting until next year to give Riverside enough time to plan.
Next September, the parade might move the parade to the second week in September, so participants don’t have to choose between the Riverside parade and other big events in the city.
“Us pausing it for this year is not a cancellation completely for all the years and all the work in the community,” he said. “This is something we’re going to continue for years to come.”
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Mirror Indy reporter Sophie Young covers services and resources. Contact her at sophie.young@mirrorindy.org.
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