We used to refer to OOV is one of the newer ladies’ groups, but the group is more than 25 years old now. Founded on March 19, 2000, it started with “only a few members,” according to the group, but grew quickly. By OOV’s 10th anniversary, it was 168 members strong. These ladies are known as big throwers, sometimes chucking huge stuffed animals. In 2017, OOV debuted the group’s first float, a beautiful new emblem float, and others have since followed.
This year’s parade is circus-themed: “Under the Big Top.” The parade includes 11 floats, eight unique to OOV, built by Ben Kaiser’s Mirth Artist, and three rented. Peter de Paola designed Queen Tammy’s ensemble. Costumes, including that of Emblem Hannah, are by Marie Stockton.
In 2025, OOV paraded on Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m. The theme was “Fire and Ice.” The parade included eight of their floats, including two new ones by Ben Kaiser’s Mirth Artists, plus two floats rented from the Order of Polka Dots for the OOV Marshals. Costumes were by Marie Stockton.
