The 2012 Denver Parade of Homes has 72 homes participating this year, a figure officials say is the highest in its 26-year history.

For those in the building industry, Parade vice chair Cortney Ridens said, the increased number of homes is a sign of resurgence.

“Home building is bouncing back,” said Ridens, who also is the marketing manager for Meritage Homes.

The Parade features homes in 20 cities, including three in Thornton and two in Westminster, and runs through Sept. 3. More than 70,000 visitors are expected to view the never-lived-in homes throughout the metro region during the free event. The homes range in price from $182,650 to $1.25 million.

“The parade is a way to show a lot of people in a short time period, the highest quality homes that we offer,” said Mike Davidson from Standard Pacific Homes.

This is the third year Standard has participated in the parade, and it is showing a home at 9503 Gray Court.

“This home is a model home for the Tuscany Trails Community, which only has 12 homes left to sell,” Davidson said. “This particular model is the last of its kind and will be up for sale in the near future.”

The home is listed for $465,709 and features four bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, an expanded kitchen, open floor plan, five-piece master bathroom and a fully finished basement.

The other Westminster home is at 14280 N. Osage St. and is listed for $925,000.

Meritage Homes is featuring a 3,300-square-foot model in Fallbrook Farms community, 2626 E. 142nd Ave. in Thornton. The home is listed for $512,000 and has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a formal dining room, gourmet kitchen and open loft. The model is not for sale but buyers can purchase the same floor plan on a different lot

The other two Thornton houses in the parade are at 15244 Willow Drive, which is listed for $316,900; and 2214 Roslyn St., $358,872.

A new feature on the tour is the American Furniture Warehouse Design Challenge. Three interior-design teams were given the exact same furniture for a great room, kitchen and master bedroom and were tasked with creating different schemes. Parade visitors get to vote on their favorite designs.

The parade runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, and admission is free. For a map and more information, go online to www.ParadeofHomesDenver.com.