A History of the Parade of Homes

The Parade of Homes Twin Cities has been helping area families find homes, builders, remodelers, resources, and inspiration for homes since 1948. Here is a short history of our tours:

2023: The Parade of Homes celebrates 75 years of showcasing new and remodeled homes, builders, remodelers, and home products and services to area families.

2018: The Parade of Homes celebrated its 70th year.

2015: Independent research verified that the Parade of Homes was a trusted, well-liked brand in the region, estimating that 230,000 people had visited a Parade Home in the past year.

2014: The Artisan Home Tour by Parade of Homes was launched, adding a curated high-end, ticketed tour of exclusive new and remodeled homes every June.

2012: The Parade of Homes and the Remodelers Showcase introduced cleaner, updated logos.

2011: The Green Path Energy Tour became a special section during every Parade of Homes tour to provide families with an easy and independently verified way to identify energy-efficient new homes.

2010: BATC acquired the Parade of Homes Federal Trademark from Indiana.

2010: Minnesotans told their homebuying and remodeling experiences and began gracing the guidebook covers — a tradition that continued for more than a decade.

2006: An online TourPlanner helped website visitors to create their own personal tour routes.

2006: Parade of Homes fall showcase hits a record of 1,259 homes in one event.

2004-2007: Tune into a Better Home® launched the Parade of Homes Radio hour on WCCO-AM radio.

2003 – 2006: Condos and townhomes were booming so the Parade of Homes EasyStreet was held in May to provide an easy way to tour.

2001: ParadeofHomes.org added resources and searches for builders and remodelers to provide year-round function.

2000-2009: Flower, leaf, and butterfly imagery identified the Parade of Homes and the guidebooks.

2000: The Remodelers Showcase was folded into the Parade of Homes family, becoming the Parade of Homes Remodeler’s Showcase.

1998: Parade of Homes celebrated 50 years with a commemorative logo.

1996: The BATC Foundation Dream Home program began with two exclusive high-end homes selected as fundraisers for the Builders Outreach Foundation.

1996: ParadeofHomes.org created an online digital tour guide.

1995: The Builders Outreach Foundation, now known as the Housing First Minnesota Foundation, becomes the official charitable arm of the Builders Association.

1995: The Parade of Homes logo was updated for a fresh ‘90s look.

1995: Where Dream Homes Come True® became the official Parade of Homes slogan.

1984: The Remodelers Showcase is launched as a separate tour, showcasing older homes that have been remodeled to fit their owners’ needs.

1984: The first official Parade of Homes logo was introduced with custom chrome-look lettering.

1973: Parade of Homes celebrates 25 successful years and is proud to have grown to nearly 100 homes.

1959: The Reggie Awards begin to honor builders and remodelers who have worked hard to complete exceptional projects throughout the year.

1950s: The Parade of Homes continues to grow in popularity. The St. Paul Builders Association starts its own tour. The Queen of Homes royal court begins to represent the annual Parade of Homes.

1950s: GIs back from the war were ready to find homes and start their families which made the Parade of Homes a valuable shopping opportunity.

1950: The first scattered-site Parade of Homes is held by the Minneapolis Builders Association.

1949: The first Minneapolis Parade of Homes was held with 12 homes in Edina — home to the first baby boomers.

1948: Six builders collaborate on a Trend Home in Edina, drawing crowds and setting the stage for the success of our Parade of Homes.