THE BIG 5-0: Parade of Homes Celebrates 50th Year
half-century-old event returns with special features, plus more homes and voting options
An annual event favorite, the Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association Parade of Homes will return this June 8-15, and it’s a particularly special year for the organization and the event: After all, the half-a-century mark is pretty impressive! This year’s event will feature more homes, five food trucks, the chance to win prizes like $100 Scheels gift cards, and more People’s Choice voting options.
15 homes will be featured, including new and remodeled builds located as far north as Lafayette and Lake Hallie and as far south as Eleva, plus homes in Viroqua and Warrens, Wisconsin, that will be available to view virtually.
“This event is one of the first signature events that our association put on. It started a couple of years after the association was founded in 1972, the first (Parade of Homes) starting in 1975,” said Christina Thrun, executive officer of the Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association. “It’s incredible, being in our 50th year, and the public is still so supportive and receptive to this event.”
Homes will be open for tours Monday-Friday from 5-9pm and Saturday-Sunday from 10am-5pm, though featured remodels are only open June 8-10. Tickets are $8 until June 7 (prices rise to $10 after that), and are available online; at RCU locations in Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, and Menomonie through June 7; or at the first home you visit in the Parade. Kids ages 12 and under will gain access for free.
New events and features will be part of this year’s milestone Parade, including food trucks – Sankofa Super Foods, Handly’s Old Fashioned Glazed Donuts, Eat O’Clock, and others – on June 8-9 from 11am-3pm in front of several of the Parade’s houses. A Gold Coin Hunt will run June 10-14, with more than 100 gold coins hidden throughout the Parade’s homes for folks to find and turn in to collect swag bags, five of which will each include one $100 Scheels gift card.
The popular Scavenger Hunt will also return, sending folks out to search for unique items in the homes, including a custom dog feeding station, a gold band on a range hood, a floating master vanity, a Cambria shower, and more. Those who find the hunt’s items can enter to win $100 (four total winners).
Brand new this year is the Parade’s expansion of the People’s Choice. Previously, Parade attendees would rate the homes to determine the People’s Choice. This year, how you vote will change – instead of voting on the overall house you favor, you will vote for each home based on categories: Kitchen, Primary Suite, Landscaping & Outdoor Living, Best Use of Space, Best Overall Remodel, and Best Overall New Home. Plus, four voters will be entered to win $100 each.
Of course, many attend each Parade of Homes to check out what the latest trends in home design are, and some unexpected trends are on the rise if this year’s Parade is any indication.
“As we get closer to the event, we are seeing more and more of each home, and there are interesting trends,” Thrun said. “One of those has been darker colors and dark accent walls. Two-tone siding, too, has started to become very popular.”
Thrun also noted an interior and exterior trend: curves. In both furniture and decor, doorways, insets, and more, curves are coming back on trend. Other popular trends that will be showcased at the Parade include luxury vinyl tile and plank flooring as well as purposeful mixing of traditional and modern looks.
For inspiration on your own home project – whether it’s a paint job, fixtures or furnishings, flooring, or anything else exterior and interior related – pick up your Parade of Homes tickets to check it all out. Plus, attendees have the opportunity to meet and chat with area builders and remodelers.
Find additional information including renderings of each featured home at paradeofhomescv.com.
