Christmas Parade Guidelines
GENERAL RULES:
FLOATS:
BANDS – MARCHING/WALKING UNITS:
LINE-UP
All entries will be assigned a line-up number and receive further instructions about the parade upon receipt and approval of the application.
- Entrants must observe all applicable rules and regulations and follow instructions from police and parade officials or be barred from the parade. The Jaycees reserve the right to remove any entrant from the parade either prior to assembly, while assembling or any time during the parade.
- Forward movement maneuvers only by marching units are permitted. No units may stop forward motion for performances except in the areas designated by the Jaycees.
- A safe space between each unit will be enforced. All units are required to close gap between units when instructed by parade officials. Failure to do so may warrant removal from the parade.
- Alcoholic beverages are forbidden on any float, in any vehicle, or on the person of any participant. Participants consuming alcohol prior to or during the parade will be removed from the lineup. All city, county and NC State statues concerning the consumption of alcoholic beverages will be strictly enforced by the police before, during and after the parade.
- Drivers of any and all vehicles in the parade areas must possess a valid driver’s license, be at least 18 years old, and possess all liability vehicle insurance.
- Livestock, reptiles, wild and domestic animals shall not be in the parade unless approved by the Jaycees. If approval is granted, all horses must have someone to clean up, if necessary, along the parade route.
- The use of high intensity sound making devices is strongly discouraged. We prefer that Christmas theme music be used. Parade officials have the complete authority in this matter and reserve the right to withdraw any unit that does not comply with their instructions to turn down or turn off sound when instructed to do so. Failure to comply with the officials’ instructions will result in immediate removal from the parade and jeopardize future participation.
- The Jaycees reserve the right to withdraw any unit of which costume or performance does not meet the Christmas parade rules and regulations or conform to the standards of reasonable public taste and fit the parade theme.
- Entrants that do not appear on parade day without prior notification to parade officials or entries that do not comply with the rules and regulations jeopardize future participation in the Jaycees Christmas Parade.
- Political campaigning is not permitted.
- The Jaycees decision regarding all entries is final.
- The Jaycees do not accept the responsibility for travel, food, or lodging expense of any unit.
- Application fees are non-refundable for accepted entries. Each entry must pay the appropriate fee.
- The Jaycees reserve the right to accept or decline any entry.
FLOATS:
- Vehicles that are pulling floats should be incorporated as much as possible into the float and decorated accordingly.
- All entries must be decorated according to a Christmas theme. All banners should be neatly lettered and legible.
- NO decorations and or float construction material may protrude from the side of the float. All electrical devices must be properly grounded.
- Floats should have handholds or stand-up holds for each rider on the float. Any self-propelled float must have a spotter beside the float, who is in two-way communication (e.g. two-way radio) with the float driver.
- Participants must be costumed according to the parade theme, with no participant dressed as Santa Claus.
- Float capacity will not be exceeded. Participants should not dismount from a float in motion during the parade route. Participants will not have body parts, particularly legs and feet, extending past the sides, front or rear of the float. This is an extreme safety hazard.
- The Jaycees will secure Santa Claus for the parade. No other Santas are allowed to participate.
BANDS – MARCHING/WALKING UNITS:
- Reversing motion outside of designated areas may result in removal from the parade and will jeopardize future participation. We prefer that Christmas theme music to be played by the band.
- No unit may stop forward motion to perform except in areas designated by the Jaycees.
- If for any reason a gap of greater than 50 feet is created, marching units must increase their pace to close the gap.
- Participants must be suitable costumed with no participant dressed as Santa. Walking groups must be dressed in uniform that easily identifies walkers as a part of the same group.
- No vehicle may accompany marching units without written approval.
LINE-UP
All entries will be assigned a line-up number and receive further instructions about the parade upon receipt and approval of the application.