UPDATE: Salina Downtown Reverses Candy Ban for 2026 Parade of Lights
SALINA, Kan. — Salina Downtown, Inc. has reversed its decision to prohibit candy, giveaways and other handouts during the 2026 Parade of Lights.
The organization initially announced that handouts would not be permitted anywhere along the parade route because of safety concerns involving children and adults entering the street to retrieve candy.
Salina Downtown estimates that nearly 18,000 people attend the annual downtown event.
After receiving feedback from the community, the organization announced that candy and other handouts will now be allowed during the 2026 parade, subject to safety guidelines that have not yet been fully detailed.
“We got this one wrong,” Salina Downtown said in its updated announcement.
The organization said its original concern remains the safety of spectators, parade participants, volunteers and law enforcement officers.
Salina Downtown specifically asked parents and guardians to keep children away from moving floats, vehicles and parade participants.
“We know the excitement of free candy is real, but no piece of candy is worth a child getting hurt,” the organization stated.
Salina Downtown said cooperation from families and parade participants will be necessary to continue allowing candy and giveaways at future events.
Additional information regarding the safety guidelines, parade route, event date and participant registration is expected to be released as planning continues.
Earlier Announcement
Salina Downtown previously said candy, giveaways and other handouts would be prohibited along the parade route during the 2026 Parade of Lights.
Officials said an increasing number of spectators had entered the parade route to collect candy, creating a significant safety risk.
The organization originally described the ban as a temporary measure and said it did not expect the change to be permanent.
Salina Downtown, Inc. announced that candy, giveaways and other handouts will not be permitted along the parade route during the 2026 Parade of Lights.
According to the organization, the temporary policy change was made because of growing safety concerns during the annual downtown event.
Salina Downtown estimates that approximately 18,000 people attend the Parade of Lights. Organizers said they have seen an increasing number of children and adults entering the parade route to retrieve candy and other items distributed by parade participants.
Officials said people entering the route create a safety risk for spectators, parade participants, volunteers and law enforcement officers.
“This was not a decision we made lightly, and we do not anticipate it being a permanent change,” Salina Downtown said in its announcement.
The organization acknowledged that receiving candy and giveaways has been a longstanding tradition for many families but said safety will be the priority during the 2026 event.
Parade entries will not be allowed to throw or directly distribute candy, promotional items or other handouts anywhere along the route.
Additional information about the 2026 Parade of Lights, including the event date, parade route and participant registration, is expected to be released as planning continues.