Parade and Float

387th Negro Election Day Parade

The Parade pays tribute to our ancestors who initiated Negro Election Day, celebrating their legacy through the vibrant "Election Day parade. In 1639, the first Black King and Black Governors proudly marched alongside the Ancient and Honorary Artillery Company in Boston Common, marking a significant moment in our history.

Join us as we honor this rich tradition and remember the courage of those who paved the way for future generations.

Join us as we celebrate the rich legacy of the Black Kings and Black Governors, who proudly marched through the streets of Boston and rode through the streets of Salem, MA, on Negro Election Day.

The triumphant journey to Salem Willows Park that we follow today, marked significant moment in our history, introducing Black leadership to the community. We are excited to carry on this tradition and expand our legacy throughout Massachusetts, ensuring that two centuries from now, we will still honor and celebrate our heritage

Let's pave the way for future generations to cherish important milestone. And by

participation in the parade we are able to showcase of our achievements. We proudly highlighted our milestones, from community engagement to innovative projects that have made a positive impact. This event not only allowed us to celebrate our past successes but also strengthened commitment to future endeavors.

We are pleased to invite you to include a float in your participation at the
387th Negro Election Day Parade. Your float can beautifully represent the
theme of the day or highlight a historical aspect that resonates with you.
We look forward to your creative contribution to this meaningful celebration.

Together, we look forward to continuing this journey of excellence.

2026 Parade & Festival Theme
"Black/American Freedman Pride and Contributions To American History"

Parade begins at 12:00 a.m.

Parade Route

To be announced

Salem United Inc. is excited to engage with the Black/African American/American Freedman community on the 387th year of Negro Election Day. We believe that honoring and supporting our contributions requires us to be actively involved in our shared history. Negro Election Day is an essential part of narrative, and it is vital that we learn, understand, and cherish the legacy our Ancestors have bestowed upon us. Together, let’s celebrate our story and strengthen through our participation.

Our history is being whitewashed, excluded or confiscated and it is time to say enough is enough. We are not getting the funding that other organizations are aloud, and it is up to us to support our legacies.

Join us on July 18th, 2026, and unite with us as we bring Black organizations, Fraternal Organizations, HBCU representatives, Youth, Bands, Military community leaders and more, to demonstrate our commitment to the preservation of our history through the arts.

Let’s come together to show them that we are leaders, mentors, and proud believers in our heritage. Together, we can inspire the next generation and empower them to embrace their. Your presence matters—let's make a difference together!

If you believe in the preservation of Negro Election Day, its history and what the history stands for, how it is represented, than download an application and sign up to be in the 2026 parade.