Blue Earth County, MN Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)

Sec. 10-31 requires anyone who permits, promotes, organizes or sells tickets to an actual or reasonably anticipated gathering of 1,000 or more people, on public or private land, to obtain a large-assembly license approved by the Blue Earth County Board of Commissioners and issued by the county administrator. The application, filed at least 60 days before the event, must include certified copies of any other required state or county licenses, and the county administrator refers it to the director of environmental services for a compliance recommendation before the board acts.

Sec. 10-32 layers on detailed preliminary requirements the applicant must meet unless the board waives or reduces them in writing: perimeter fencing approved by the sheriff, at least one gallon of potable water per person per day, separate enclosed restrooms, solid-waste disposal planned at 2.5 pounds per person per day, tiered on-site medical staffing that scales from one EMT for 1,000-1,500 attendees up to a fully staffed ambulance for crowds over 5,000, lighting of at least five footcandles, one parking space per four persons, off-duty licensed law enforcement starting at four officers for 1,000-2,000 people and one more for every additional 500, $1,000,000.00 in liability insurance, and a $10,000.00 minimum bond payable to the county administrator.

Sec. 10-31(f) exempts regularly established venues operating within their normal seating capacity, the county fair, and any territory inside a home rule charter or statutory city, since city gatherings fall under municipal rather than county jurisdiction.