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The first One Nation Under God parade was held at the Champaign County Nursing Home's old site on Main Street in 1998. More than 100 participants paraded through the halls of the home, including negotiating a second story using stairs and an elevator to get wagons, strollers, and floats into every part of the nursing home.

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This children's parade is the culmination of several principles. It combines the idea that many nursing home residents are isolated with the idea that children are fantastic ambassadors to the elderly in helping them reconnect with society and even their own memories. The theme of the parade focuses on the commitment by parade participants to the idea that our country is entirely dependent upon God for everything. Parading down the hallways of the nursing home brings a social event directly to the residents, recreating for them what is very probably a very fond childhood memory for many of them - a small town parade.

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The parade is open to any christian who wishes to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those who are often isolated and lonely. The children are given American flags to hand out to residents. Although some children are eager to give the flags to the residents, others are more reserved and only parade through the halls without interacting personally. The residents are always happy to see the children, and most residents end up receiving 2 or 3 flags because of the children's desire to give. Other handouts are encouraged, such as cards or other decorations.