Opening Day Parade Marches on April 26 to Celebrate Nuxhall Miracle League All-Stars

FAIRFIELD, OH (April 17, 2025)—Polish up your marching shoes, because it’s parade season at the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields—and this year’s festivities are bigger and better than ever!

The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields Opening Day Parade is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 10:00am. The parade route begins at Sacred Heart Church in Fairfield and winds its way through the local neighborhood (primarily along Mississippi Drive) before ending with a short on-field ceremony at The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields.

This year, host of 700 WLW’s SportsTalk and loyal Nuxhall Foundation supporter Lance McAlister will put down the microphone and hop in a convertible to be honored as the parade grand marshal. McAlister will lead a crew of more than 200 Nuxhall Miracle League all-stars and their families in the celebration of a new season of baseball.

2025 Parade Grand Marshal Lance McAlister with Kim Nuxhall.

“Lance is the kind of broadcaster my dad loved,” says Nuxhall Foundation president and board chairman Kim Nuxhall. “He’s humble. He’s passionate. And most importantly, he uses the platform he’s been given to make good things happen for other people. It’s Lance’s incredible character of compassion that makes it a privilege for us to honor him at the front of the parade.”

McAlister’s love for The Nuxhall Foundation is palpable. He and his wife, Kelly, can often be found cheering on the special needs athletes at the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields. They are regular attendees of the Opening Day Parade along the route of supporters who line the streets, and McAlister has also served as an on-field buddy for JNMLF athletes during games. In 2024, Lance and Kelly hit the road with The Nuxhall Foundation, traveling with the team to Pittsburgh to play in the Miracle Series with Sean Casey at Casey’s Clubhouse.

Lance McAlister and his wife, Kelly, pictured with athletes from the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields.

After being named parade grand marshal, McAlister said “What an honor! I’ve always been a big fan of the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields and the impact they have made on so many lives. The Opening Day Parade is always a magical day with feel-good energy off the charts. Kelly and I are excited to be a part of the day. Can’t wait to see everyone. I’m practicing my wave! Let’s go!”

McAlister will lead a crew of special needs all-stars from the Great Miami Valley YMCA Youth League and the Therapeutic Recreation for the Disabled (TRD) Adult League marching alongside community members and organizations including: 2022 Nuxhall Humanitarian Award Winner and Cincinnati Reds batboy Teddy Kremer, JNMLF mascot Joey The Can-Do Kangaroo, the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings vintage baseball team, local celebrities, and others.

JNMLF All-Star Annie Schwartz marching in the 2024 Opening Day Parade.

The 2025 parade also includes not one, but two marching bands. The Fairfield High School Marching Band will lead the way in their hometown parade. Additionally, a new Northern Kentucky Nuxhall Parade Superband including 225 students from eight Kentucky high schools will join the lineup, playing a specially-composed arrangement of Take Me Out to the Ballgame.

The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields Opening Day Parade is a reflection of The Nuxhall Foundation’s mission to provide big-league experiences for special needs athletes in Greater Cincinnati.

“Just like the Reds and the Findlay Market Opening Day Parade, we want to celebrate the start of a new season and the athletes who give us all so many reasons to smile,” says Nuxhall. “There’s no better way to open our Joy Factory for more miracles than with a parade, and we are thankful to the community that always shows up in a big way to cheer on our all-stars.”

Parade participants are encouraged to line up at Sacred Heart Church in Fairfield beginning at 9:15am (no early arrivals; those who arrive early will be asked to return later). Parade staff will organize the units into a parade line, which begins its march towards the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields at 10:00am. Upon arrival at the facility, a brief on-field ceremony will recognize Hartman and Miracle League all-stars from both the youth and adult league. Local vocalist Kim Beatty will perform the national anthem.

Fairfield and Greater Cincinnati residents are encouraged to line the streets along the route, make signs, and join in all the fun.

“Our all-stars and their families feed off the energy from our supporters,” says Tyler Bradshaw, Executive Director of The Nuxhall Foundation. “That march through our local neighborhood in Fairfield is one of the most moving moments of the entire year because we see how many people loved Joe and how they continue to love our mission. We are in awe of how our community comes together to cheer on our all-stars, and we can’t wait to see the crowd again this year!”

The Nuxhall Foundation is the legacy foundation for former Major League Baseball pitcher and longtime Cincinnati Reds broadcaster, Joe Nuxhall. A central project of The Nuxhall Foundation is The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields—an entirely accessible baseball and recreational facility where every player with every challenge gets every chance to play. More than 300 players between ages 4 to 80 participate in programs at the Miracle League Fields. For more information, visit www.nuxhallmiracleleague.org.

Parade Details:

The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields Opening Day Parade

Saturday April 26, 2025

10:00am

Schedule:

9:15 Parade Lineup (Sacred Heart Church, 400 Nilles Road, Fairfield)

10:00 Parade Departure

~10:45 Parade Arrives at The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields

~11:15 On-Field Ceremony & Introduction of All-Stars

For Participants:

• All parade participants must celebrate and reflect the spirit and mission of The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields.

• Youth and adult league all-stars will have the option to ride on vehicles provided by the parade organizers.