I had always heard of the Doo Dah Parade and have lived on Ohio for over 20 years and never gone! I finally went last week and my family loved it. It's definitely different from your normal city parade as independently organized. You can tell there is a lot of political satire too. I recommend starting at Goodale park around 12 PM ish so you can get seating. Parade starts from Goodale and wraps around to the Short North area. My husband loved every moment of this parade and my child enjoyed it as well as she was just shaking her booty to all the music they were playing. I even brought the grandparents and they had a grand old time here even if it involved some politics. We will definitely be back next year for another joyous 4th of July Doo Dah Parade. read more

Lived here 35 years, somehow never made it to this. Baby K is big on parades, and this was fun for her and me. We parked at the garage north of the convention center, walked a couple blocks, and got to the end point just as the parade was arriving (about 1:45; it starts at Goodale Park at 1.) Went on for about 45 minutes. Goofy. Silly. Political. Lighthearted. Weird. Super fun. Some stuff K could understand, some she didn't get. I laughed and clapped a lot. A few people threw candy, so she got some (it's not like a standard parade in that way, not many throwing it.) Lots of places to go for refreshments immediately afterwards. Go. It's free entertainment. And some of the displays are very creative. read more

This parade is a fun, non-traditional 4th of July celebration hosted over at Goodale and the last bit of the Short North area. We found parking at the Convention center garage for $15. Pricey, but it was a convenient place to park! It's free to attend the parade though. We found some shade, thankfully! I can't imagine standing out in the heat! Since we were in the Short North area to watch, we were basically watching the parade marchers giving it their best at this last stretch. The parade starts somewhere close to Goodale. It's a very political parade: women's rights, housing inequality, the environment, random businesses, and others come to voice their opinions via costume and other visuals. It's a fun parade that is worth checking out! There are some vendors selling snacks and lemonade but you are free to bring your own stuff. The parade starts at 1, but We got there past 1 o'clock and we didn't see the parade come by where we were standing until 2. It lasted almost 40 ish minutes. It was fun to walk all over Short North streets since they were closed for the event. We went to Jeni's right after to cool down. It's a parade worth checking out in Columbus! read more

The parade was so much fun to watch. Watched the first three bands of the day. Betty Bangs was our favorite. Had some lunch at the Hawaiian food truck. Very yummy! Can't wait til next year! read more

Doo Dah Parade - Festivals Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

See all

Doo Dah Parade is the best Fourth of July parade in Columbus. It of course is the only one in Columbus on the actual holiday. This is the funniest parade. It's free and pretty much anyone can be in. There's always good humor about current events going on. If you haven't been to it know it may not be totally family friendly. It has some boobs as well as old men without pants. The parade takes place in the area around Goodale Park. It gets hyped at Comfest so it's good for those who haven't gotten over it. The acts in the parade always include celebrity impersonators and political stuff. I like Doo Dah Parade the best among the parades. It's funny and there's lots of did you really just see that moments. They let almost anyone participate in it so maybe the next one will include you. read more

See all

This was my third year attending the parade and I love it every time! You truly never know what to expect. There's so much enthusiasm from the people in the parade and the spectators. It's refreshing to see open minded people who can poke fun of themselves and the world we live in. It lasts just under an hour, depending on how many people march. There's nothing quite like it, so if you're in the area during the 4th, I very much recommend watching!! read more

The Doo Dah Parade is a great time. Where else can you see a parade filled with politically charged themes that finds a way to bring large crowds together? Right here in Columbus, Ohio. Very hot and humid, although we found a place to stand in the shade along the parade route and got to see everything. Great party afterwards and a great way to spend July 4. read more

See all

Who doesn't love a satire? The Doo Dah Parade is nothing short of hysterical. It occurs each Independence Day. There's no registration. If you want to be in the parade, just show up. You had better be in a strange costume, otherwise you'll stand out like a sore thumb. I like watching the parade on Neil Ave better than on High. It just seems more intimate, I guess. All the residents stand on their porches and drink margaritas while a bunch of hooligans set up camp on their front lawns. No one cares. For one day, no one cares. The parade is typically foreshadowed by a couple of coneheads on a bicycle built for two. Then comes the ringleader, bullhorn in hand, alerting the crowd: "This is the start of the Doo Dah parade. What's behind me, your guess is as good as mine." And we're off. Paris Hilton look-alikes whiz by on motorized coolers, the fitness Fidels do jumping jacks in the street, associates of the Rocky Horror crew shake their bon bons in fishnets and panties, the queen of England waves from the back window of one of those absurdly tacky art cars, and the crowd members cheer and snap pictures as they munch on the assorted candy piling up near the curb. Is this Heaven? No, it's Doo Dah. This year, it rained on the Doo Dah Parade. Too bad the rain date is July 3. The procession ended with a party in Goodale Park. It was too wet and cold for this party pooper, so I skipped the festivities. But I'm looking forward to a sunny Doo Dah next year. Don't ever go to a boring old parade with high school band music, arts and crafts floats, and creepy child pageant stars again. Go to Doo Dah; you'll laugh more. read more

Doo Dah Parade - Festivals Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Not sure how to explain this event, except this is a one of a kind event. You will never know what you will see at this event. It is one of the greatest free events you will ever see. The crowd is one of the friendliest crowds you will ever spend time with and we guarantee you will come back year after year once you attend your first parade! read more

See all

Always a fun time, you never know what to expect in this political satire annual parade. I've come a few times over the years, and you can always expect a good laugh. It's best to get your seats set out earlier in the day. And I recommend trying to get a place under a nice shaded tree, as the parade starts @ 1 pm, and it has been known to be blazing hot outside. Also, if it starts to pour rain, you have somewhat of a cover while you whip out the umbrella. The route isn't very long, so crowds and traffic seem to disperse pretty quickly after the closing cop car strolls by. read more

Always a fun event. We got there early for a prime spot on the curb by Goodale Park. The Hobby Lobby was funny and the CCAD balloon sculptures were incredible. Lots of candy being thrown; my granddaughter raked it in. read more

The Doo Dah Parade is my kind of parade. No pre-registration, no rain dates, no order what so ever. Its not even patriotic. The parade usually begins with The Marching Castros' which is as un-American as you can get. Park anywhere you can and walk down to Neil Avenue. My preferred spot is on the corner of First and Neil. The house on this corner has stone blocks all the way to the curb so you don't have to worry about grass ass. Watch out for the homeowners however, they get pretty rowdy. This year a man had constructed a flamingo attached to a remote controlled car that ran havoc around the streets. As the parade went on and the homeowner got drunker he began to make the flamingo crash into innocent by-standers(me) with his remote control. I hope that guy stays inside next year. The parade is usually right after com-fest so everyone is drinking out of the com-fest mugs, so bring yours with you. You know the parade has started when you start hearing the cheers of "Doo" and "Dah" shouted back and forth. Gotta love crowd participation. Over the years I have enjoyed such "floats" as the pregnant, chain smoking, red bull drinking Britney Spears'. The women with wigs on the crotch who walk around yelling " No More Bush". The Rocky Horror people always make you stop and do the Time Warp again, and the parodies of local government are classic. The best thing about Doo Dah is how they mock the issue of the year. During the smoking ban everyone was smoking, this year Cheney was walking around shooting everyone. I believe McCain was jumping out of caskets as well. Not for the Red, White, and True, this parade mocks everything sacred. See you next year on First and Neil! read more

Doo Dah Parade - Festivals Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

This is just one of those things that I've decided I cannot grasp the appeal of. I tried, I went, and I found myself wishing I was back at work. The Doo Dah Parade may be the most potent reminder I've ever seen that trying very, very hard still doesn't make you funny. Intentionally being campy or weird in the hopes of getting laughs, without any deeper commentary, is never, ever amusing. And it doesn't help that the parade unfolds at approximately the same pace of a heroin addict performing a one-man show on a very hot day. read more

The Doo Dah parade is good, good fun! I've been the last two years, and it is a wild, expect-the-unexpected kind of time. A great way to celebrate our Independence Day by celebrating freedom of speech and the right to assemble. You'll see some truly crazy stuff, so I'm not sure it's good for young children, but tremendous amount of fun for adults. Even through some rain today, there was still a big crowd and many, many sights to see. read more

Sorry Doo Dah, I was disappointed with you this year. The old standbys were there end of the parade at the beginning, Marching Fidels, Uncle Sam on the giant wheel and some political/social humor (supreme court justices). What turned me off this year was the strong commercial presents of people promoting candidates, and businesses without much humor or creativity. What I didn't like the multiple hunted houses/forest promote. It is just not my thing.I was also handed a lot of promotional materials. I must look extra friendly or was in the right place. I guess a challenge I could put out to myself and the rest of Columbus, lets be more creative and add some more political, social satire or try to be just plain funny back into the parade Anyone can enter, you just show up on parade day. read more

"I thought this was, like, the *other* parade." I went to the Doo Dah Parade expecting to see a handful of people lining high street. I figured there was a city sponsored parade that everyone else would be at. Ha! My friend and I drove around for at least 20 minutes trying to find parking and then were barely able to find a place to watch. As it turns out, this is THE 4th of July parade. There we a lot of hilarious entries ("Didn't you date that guy in the bodysuit?") and some were confusing ("They're Juggalos? What's a Juggalo? Why are they wasting Faygo?") but all in all it summed up the independent and kooky spirit of Columbus. The only place better to be on July 4th other than watching the Doo Dah parade is to be in it. read more

I the Doo Dah Parade! it has everything I like! People being fun, smiling and interacting with each other in a spirit of community and open acceptance plus I like glitter and things hat are bright and fabulous read more

Doo Dah Parade - More pics :) - Festivals Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Every July 4th the Doo Dah parade marches through the streets of Victorian Village. Why? Why not! Just show up and start parading! It's silly, and pointless, and a good deal of fun (if you can find parking). read more

Yeah, yeah, I know, I've lived in this town for nearly a decade as a self-described Discordian and only this year did I actually get to witness the grand Eristic ritual that is Columbus's Doo Dah Parade. And what a fool I was, too! This is THE way to celebrate the Fourth: by being so bat-shit insanely American that even the cops get into the spirit. Well, except for that one stone-faced sonumbitch, but ah well- If you could condense Columbus into one hour-long spectacle, this would be it. Public nudity, rampant progressivism, and a whole prides' share of tongues glued to cheeks- in more ways than one, I'm certain! From the Marching Fidels to the car being pulled by flesh-hooks, there was hardly a dull moment- except for that one time when some politician I'll never remember tried to prattle on near me about how he's going to create jobs. Yawn, dude, take off yer pants and start singing a Joan Baez song, for Christ's sake! Or SOMETHING! The only real downside to this event for me was the obnoxious guy I accidentally ended up standing next to through most of the thing. Sexist, obnoxious, and rude- ah, but even he was okay, in his own way, especially after he left to search for ginch ahoof. All in all, the only complaint I have is that this wonderful display of anarchy, irreverence, and joy only happens once a year. Columbus is SO weird that sometimes I think the locals forget without a little reminder, like a man dressed as Santa Claus squirting milk out of fake titties into the crowd. (Note: This did not happen at Doo Dah, but I think I have an idea for next year's!) read more

Doo Dah parade is bizarre. It's weird and I found myself laughing, smiling and turning my head away from some of the floats. Ultra fun. I'll go every year. read more

It's the Doo Dah parade what can I say that's not been said before about this eclectic annual parade. You come here to be entertained and you are along with whatever is going on politically. This particular outing it was super hot. We chose to Uber it to this event so we could enjoy some adult beverages after this event. After this event we enjoyed a meal at the Philco Diner which was very good. Highly recommend going to this parade. read more

The Doo Dah Parade can be summed up in the phrase, "Anything but ordinary." I have to admit I'm a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to 4th of July parades, but this year my husband and I decided to give up the suburban parade of high school cheerleaders, local politicians and youth baseball teams in favor of the Doo Dah. We were not disappointed. Though it was HOT, and shade was at a premium on High Street, the parade was entertaining and enjoyable. I would recommend getting there a little before the start time to secure a seat in the shade and to bring refreshments. For anyone about to experience the Doo Dah for the first time, I will pass along the advice given to us, "go with no expectations." The Doo Dah will make you laugh one min. and scratch your head the next. Next year give the Doo Dah Parade a try, you won't be sorry! read more

Wouldn't miss the Doo Dah Parade. This has been a family tradition since 1987, WOW 30 years (except the one year it was cancelled)! This is a true People's Parade. Highly recommend! read more