All
entries should travel at a constant speed of 5 mph. and should keep
a distance of 15 feet between their unit and the unit ahead of them.
This is an all-forward-motion parade. Performing groups should choreograph routines to maintain forward motion at the parade pace. No slow cadences allowed. Any unit that stalls the parade will be given penalty points. (This includes stopping at the start of the Judging area).
Throwing Items From Units Is Strictly Prohibited. Costumed out-walkers may hand items to the audience at the curb, but should not encourage the audience to leave the curb or move into the street. YOUR PARTICIPATION IN NEXT YEAR'S PARADE WILL BE DENIED IF YOUR GROUP IS IDENTIFIED AS HAVING IGNORED THIS REQUEST.
Parade goes on rain or shine. All units must prepare for rain or cold as well as sun and heat. Unless the parade is canceled by the Parade Committee, all units will be expected to perform and no entry fees will be refunded.
All entrants must conform to the description stated on their application. The Parade Committee reserves the right to reclassify applicants. If you have changed the makeup of your entry, please call and let us know. For example, if you are going to have a group of marchers in place of a float, we need to know this in order to allocate enough space in the staging area as well as reclassify your entry so there is no confusion for the judges or officials. This should be done at least two weeks prior to parade day.
Units with sound or unusual noise must indicate so on the entry form. No offensive music may be played during the parade.
Judging will be done by the Pacific Coast Judges Association and the California State Horsemen's Association. The CSHA rules will apply to the entire parade session. Parade units can only compete in one category. Each unit will be judged on its overall presentation and the judges' decision will be final. The distance for competition is 100 feet, with the judges' stand on the right side of the line of march located at the corner of South First and Mayes Streets (second stand).The judging area will be clearly marked with start and finish lines.
All entrants will be checked before entering the parade line. Any entry that does not conform to its application, or all rules outlined in this application, will be disqualified and may not be allowed into the parade and entry fees will not be refunded. Entries depicting violence, drugs, illegal activities, or otherwise deemed inappropriate on parade day will be disqualified from judging, will not be allowed into the lineup and entry fees will not be refunded.
Parade participants may not jump onto or off of any unit and may not interfere with any other unit in the parade.
Drivers of automobiles in the parade must have a valid driver's license.
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 line of march.
Points
may be lost for the following infractions:
- Throwing items from unit
- Delay of parade
- Not observing all forward motion
Floats are recommended to have handholds or barriers to secure riders in the event of sudden stops or starts. Seating on floats should be attached to the float bed. All floats must carry a fire extinguisher to be ready for emergencies.
Autos may not "stall out" in front of the judges stand to show off their car, they must keep forward motion at parade pace throughout the entire parade. Penalty points will be given for any group that stops or stalls out. Auto clubs with more than six cars must drive 2-cars wide.
All musical groups are required to play through the entire parade route. Penalty points will be applied for insufficient playing time. All bands should choreograph their performance for all forward motion even at judges' stand.
The parade will move out of East C Street onto First Street heading south towards the May Fair. The route will turn left on East Chestnut to the disbanding area at Hall Park. Each entry must complete the entire route before disbanding.
Selection
of Entries
Entries are selected to provide a varied, entertaining, colorful and
exciting parade. The Parade Committee will give priority to fully decorated
floats, marching bands, costumed/performing novelty or specialty groups,
and equestrian units. In the event more entries are received than can
be presented in the parade, selection will be based on information in
your application form. Please be as descriptive as possible when
you fill out the form.
Parade
Line-up
Due to a high volume of special requests (for example, to be placed
at the beginning of the line-up, splitting entries so children can be
involved with both entries, etc.) this year we will take applications
on a first-come, first-served basis and after receipt of payment
and will place entries accordingly. All requests should be noted
on the applications - no verbal requests will be accommodated. The
parade committee will attempt to accommodate as many requests as possible.
Please keep in mind that the first several spaces are always reserved
for our Marshall's, Dignitaries and special guests. Also note that we
try to rotate units around each year so they are not in the same place
every year. Please see "Confirmations" below for more details
on receiving your line-up number and staging location.
Confirmations
Confirmations will be mailed approximately two weeks prior to
the parade. You will be sent maps, last minute instructions, reminders
and check-in time. You will be given your line-up number when you check
in the morning of the parade. No information will be given out prior
to parade day concerning your line-up number or placing. No changes
will be made to the line-up after it has been printed and sent to the
judges.