Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The Illinois State Fair has announced the winners of what it’s calling the “Miles of Smiles Parade” from Thursday, August 13. You may know the parade by its longstanding name, the “Twilight Parade.”
Marching Band Competition
- The Mighty Marching Machine from Rich Township High School, Richton Park, Illinois served as the Honor Band after winning in 2025.
- First Place – Normal Marching Band
- Normal, Illinois
- Second Place – Rochester High School Marching Rockets
- Rochester, Illinois
- Third Place – The Golden Wave Marching Band – Farmington Central High School
- Farmington, Illinois
Commercial Float Contest
- First Place – The Sunroom Tanning
- Springfield, Illinois
- Second Place – B.O.S. (Bank of Springfield)
- Springfield, Illinois
- Third Place – INB (Illinois National Bank)
- Springfield, Illinois
Non-Commercial Float Contest
- First Place – America’s Eagle
- Georgetown, Illinois
- Second Place – HSHS St. John’s Hospital
- Springfield, Illinois
- Third Place – Springfield Youth Hockey Association
- Springfield, Illinois
Specialty Unit
- First Place – Lanphier High School Cheer and Lionettes
- Springfield, Illinois
- Second Place – Visit Springfield
- Springfield, Illinois
- Third Place – Cool Cruisers Car Club
- Edinburg, Illinois
Governor’s Award Winner
- HOPE
- Springfield, Illinois
- Established in 1957, HOPE is a non-for-profit agency serving individuals with disabilities and their families across 6 states. Through their vast network of educational, residential, and clinical services, HOPE’s groundbreaking programming for children with multiple disabilities impacts over 6,000 individuals annually.
(Source: Illinois State Fair news release)
