Harvest of Harmony
84th Annual Harvest of Harmony
Saturday, October 3, 2026 - step off at 8:15 a.m.
The route begins at 4th Street and Elm Street, traveling to
Eddy Street before continuing through the Eddy Street Underpass and proceeding east on 3rd
Street through downtown Grand Island.
Grand Marshal - Steve Oseka
Steve Oseka is a lifelong resident of rural Nebraska who was raised with a strong sense of family and community.
His firefighting career began in 1985 when he joined the Cairo Volunteer Fire Department. After nearly 40 years of service, Steve continues to serve the department as Fire Chief. During his time with the department, he recognized the importance of training for local fire departments as well as neighboring departments.
Steve went on to serve with the Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Training Division, where he worked with fire departments and firefighters across the state. His time with the organization reinforced his appreciation for the important role volunteer firefighters play in their communities and throughout Nebraska. In 2017, he was honored as the Nebraska Society of Fire Service Instructors’ Fire Service Instructor of the Year, an award he continues to cherish. After more than 30 years with the Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Training Division, Steve retired from the organization.
In August 2021, Steve was honored to be part of the group that helped establish the Platte Valley Twin Loups Emergency Response Team. The team brings together departments and firefighters who respond to large wildland fires across Nebraska. Since 2021, the group has been activated 24 times to assist local volunteer departments in communities affected by wildland fires.
Steve is proud of the local and neighboring departments whose volunteers continue to answer the call as firefighters and EMS providers. He recognizes the countless hours they dedicate to training and their willingness to help friends, neighbors and strangers in need across Nebraska.
He is grateful for the dedication of Nebraska’s volunteer firefighters and EMS providers and remains proud to support those who serve their communities.
Presenting Sponsor
Field Competition Sponsor
Harvest of Harmony Field Competition
First performance begins at 11:00 AM at Grand Island Senior High School's Memorial Stadium
Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students, with children age 5 and under admitted free. Cash and card payments will be accepted.
83rd Annual Harvest of Harmony
Grand Marshal's Choice - The Grand Theater
Spirt Award - GI Special Olympics
Civic 1st Place - Building Blocks Foster Care
Civic 2nd Place - EPIC Discovery Center
Civic 3rd Place - CHI Health St. Francis
Business 1st Place - McCain Foods
Business 2nd Place - The Grand Theater
Business 3rd Place - Double V
The History of Harvest of Harmony
The parade's roots start back in 1938 when Chamber members decided to organize an event to promote goodwill among the area small towns. That first parade, initially named the Central Nebraska Music Festival, was a rousing success with eight bands and 13 floats. An estimated 10,000 people were watching from the streets of Grand Island.
Just as the event was getting started, World War II began. The parade ceased in 1942, 1943, 1944 and 1945, due to gas rationing. Once the war ended, the parade resumed in 1946 with a new name, Harvest of Harmony, and added the Miss Harvest of Harmony Pageant.
Over the years, Harvest of Harmony has grown into one of Nebraska's largest events. The culmination of the parade's popularity was evident in 1996 as Harvest of Harmony broke an existing record and claimed a spot in the Guinness Book of Records as "highest number of bands marching in a parade" with 130 bands.
As for those original eight bands that began in 1938… they've been back each and every year.
The Harvest of Harmony is coordinated by the Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce with the help of the Harvest of Harmony committee. Each year, the committee meets monthly starting in March to begin planning for the parade.
The Harvest of Harmony kicks off with the Alumni Band. Jack Moore, who owned a music shop in town, founded the Alumni Band.
Get updates about the Harvest of Harmony parade, right in your inbox!
Click here to sign up for the Harvest of Harmony mailing list.
For many years, the Harvest of Harmony Parade has been broadcast live by local television
stations. This has been a unique and added bonus for participating bands, floats, and dignitaries.
Unfortunately, we were advised in 2021 by NTV that they are not able to broadcast the
Parade due to copyright and synchronization laws that have been brought to the forefront.
The Harvest of Harmony committee will continue to explore other options that allow
individuals from across the state, country, and world to view the parade 'live.'
Please contact Jessica with any questions or concerns.