As the 52nd annual Parade of Homes swiftly approaches, Volume One chatted with Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association (CVHBA) Executive Officer, Christine Thrun, to learn what attendees can expect from the popular multi-day event.

The Parade of Homes – slated for June 6-13 – brings some of the area’s best homebuilders together to display newly finished projects. The event serves as both a unique community outing and opportunity to inspire potential homebuyers and homeowners.

This year, ten area builders have brought 13 new builds to life, offering just shy of 40,000 square feet to peruse. Homes range from two-bed, two-bath builds to a five-bed, four-bath home; all with unique exterior and interior styles, diverse features and finishes, home decor and more.

 

Parade of Homes entry No. 10, located at 184 Roma St., Eau Claire, by Ashley Construction.

 

 

Parade of Homes entry No. 2, located at 4192 142nd St., Chippewa Falls, by C&E Wurzer Builders.

 

Firenze Estates in Eau Claire will be a premier neighborhood where several of the Parade homes are located. The rest of the Parade will bring attendees no further north than the Lake Wissota area and as far south as Eau Galle. 

While the Parade spans a full week, certain activities and events may sway you to attend one day over the other; June 6 and June 7 will include five food trucks and vendors while June 10 doubles as the second annual “Family Night” event.

Children ages 12 and under gain free entry to every day of the Parade; Family Night will offer kiddos a free “house bank” – a foam puzzle which, once built, acts as a piggy bank – and free coloring sheets.

Additionally, the CVHBA will host a social media challenge to encourage Parade attendees to snap photos and share them on online – with the hashtag, #CVParadePhotoContest – for the chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card. There is no limit to the number of photos/entries one can make.

 

Parade of Homes entry No. 7, located at N3071 1010th St., Elk Mound, by Pabich Homes.

 

Parade of Homes entry No. 5, located at 2413 116th St., Chippewa Falls, by Bergh Contractors.

 

New this year is the addition of the Chippewa River Trolley Co., which will offer Parade attendees a ride-in-style experience ($32; includes entry to all Parade events and homes) to six select homes, with food-truck stops, on: Saturday, June 6 from 12-4pm; Tuesday, June 9 from 4:45-9pm; Wednesday, June 10 from 4:45-pm.

Returning due to continued popular demand, the scavenger hunt activity encourages attendees to scour each home and property for key features. Thrun teased a few of the scavenger hunt finds, including a 12-foot-wide ceiling fan, a lighted herb wall and a golden vase, among others.

2026 Home Trends

With no remodeled properties this year – a first for the Parade; there has been at least one remodeled home every year since being allowed entry – attendees will peruse entirely brand-new builds.

Thrun says some break-out trends include the color green and wood grain. “We’ve seen (the color green) previously in some interiors, but now we’re seeing it incorporated in exteriors – three homes in this year’s Parade include it in some way,” she noted.

“Another thing is the wood-grain look,” Thrun said. “You’ll notice it on the exterior of several homes, both as an accent and more prominent design, which we really hadn’t seen in a significant way until this year.”

While white was once the dominant shade of choice for such things, Thrun said, black continues to be popular for doors, windows and garages.

 

Parade of Homes entry No. 13, located at N415 297th St., Eau Galle by R. Tews Construction & Design, Inc.

 

 

Parade of Homes entry No. 4, located at 3577 112nd St., Chippewa Falls by Lien Construction.

 

Parade of Homes entry No. 1, located at 6579 County Hwy K, Chippewa Falls by Signature Homes.

 

Parade of Homes entry No. 11, located at 205 Roma St., Eau Claire by C&M Home Builders & Real Estate

She also pointed to stone fireplaces as an emerging trend in new builds. At least one home part of this year’s Parade has a stunning two-story stone fireplace, Thrun said.

Looking through the descriptions of this year’s homes, some notable features include one home’s adjoined garage-workshop, a vaulted three-season room, epoxy garage floors, basement dry bars, a retractable screened-in deck and a spa-inspired shower, among others.

As far as finishes and additional features, attendees will have to discover those themselves, in person.

For those planning out their own homes, or the casual curious attendee, you can snag your tickets to this year’s Parade of Homes beginning in early May. Early-bird pricing is $8/ticket; after June 5, prices increase to $10/ticket, available both online and at select in-person locations.

Learn more about the 2026 Parade of Homes online at www.paradeofhomescv.com • Tickets can be purchased online or in-person at the Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association office (4319 Jeffers Rd., Suite 103, Eau Claire) and at Royal Credit Union locations in Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, Menomonie and Rice Lake