General Information

Registration

There is no charge to participate, however, the parade committee reserves the right to determine an entry's acceptance. Please understand the parade is not a platform for political, religious, or social issues, or targeted special groups. No entry will be permitted to participate in the parade if, in the judgment of the committee, it reflects such issues. Commercial businesses may participate, however, we discourage direct ‘advertising’ and encourage creative, innovative and entertaining entries.

Staging

Approximately one week prior to the parade, we will notify you with your assigned staging area. Please make sure everyone in your party is informed of where to meet on parade day. Staging for the parade begins at 4:00 pm. All entries must be in place by 5:45 pm. The parade will begin promptly at 6:00 pm. For questions day of, look for a parade volunteer in an orange vest.

Upon Arrival

When your party arrives, they should report to your assigned staging area. One representative from your entry should check in at the registration table located at your staging area to receive your parade entry number.

Judging

Please secure your entry number in a visible place on the left side of your entry so that the judges and the M.C. can see it from the reviewing stand. Judges will be evaluating entries for awards as they pass the viewing stand located on the Madison Street Stage. Each of the winners will be recognized from the Capitol Stage on Friday. Prizes will be awarded for:

• Best entry interpretation of the theme

• Best musical entertainment

• Best decorated and themed float

• Best political entry

Rules & Regulations

Entries must observe all applicable rules and regulations or be barred from the parade. The Salute to America Parade Committee reserves the right, at any time, to remove any entrant from the parade following the rules and regulations or refusing police or parade officials instructions. All entries must be approved by the committee before entering the line of march.

1. All entries are subject to approval by the Parade Committee. All decisions are final. Entries will be notified upon acceptance.

2. Individuals and organizations are expected to perform courteously, in good taste, and with safety in mind at all times during the parade.

3. All parade entries must follow the patriotic theme of Grand 'ol Flag.

4. Absolutely no alcohol, smoking or fireworks will be tolerated on any parade entry.

5. Handing out candy or objects to the crowd is permitted by walkers only. Throwing of any object from parade entrants is not allowed.

6. It is the responsibility of the entrants to obtain sufficient and appropriate insurance protection for the entry and those involved in the parade.

7. Floats may be motorized or horse-drawn and must carry a fire extinguisher. Maximum allowable height is 14 feet. Floats must be able to make the turns as described in the route.

8. If you are submitting an equestrian entry, you must have an assigned individual to follow providing clean-up.

9. It is imperative that all entries maintain the pace throughout the entire parade route. No one is permitted to get on or off a float or entry once the parade has started.

10. There must be an adult on floats where there are children under 12. We ask that all adults, children and walkers be in costumes pertaining to their float’s theme.

Click here for an application in PDF Form you can print and mail or fax (To access these applications, you will need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0 or higher. It is available for free from Adobe for Windows, Macintosh and Unix platforms.)

Map of the Parade Route