City of Temple 78th Annual Christmas Parade - 2024

If you are considering entering the parade, please read the document thoroughly. The applicant will be responsible and shall agree to the rules and regulations set forth by the City of Temple prior to submitting your application.

All units must reflect a holiday theme, or the theme chosen by the Parade Committee, and must not be predominantly commercial in nature. Bands, individuals, and groups are encouraged to represent this theme with their costumers, vehicles, and/or floats.

PARADE DATE: Monday, December 2, 2024 @ 6:30pm

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: Applications are accepted on a first come first serve basis and must be submitted online @ templetxevents.com by TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2024 @ 5pm

ENTRY FEES: Entry fees support the continuation of the Christmas Parade and are NON-REFUNDABLE. All paid entries may request to be judged and compete for various prize amounts.

· Commercial/Retail Businesses: $70

· All Other: $40 (residents, churches, private schools, non-profit organizations, service clubs, professional organizations, etc.)

· Tax Supported Entities: NO FEE (public schools, Police & Fire Departments, etc.) unless the entry is requesting to be judged

o Judging Fee: $40 – this can be found under “Add-ons”
(Tax Supported Entities only!)

· Additional Space: $40 for (1) additional 40ft space – this can be found under “Add-ons”

The following items must be submitted for your application to be considered for participation.

1. Completed online application

2. Paid correct entry fee

3. Waiver of Liability (signed by one member of your unit at the Mandatory Pre-Parade meeting)

ACCEPTANCE: No individual or unit will be allowed to take part in the parade without prior approval of the Parade Committee. Your acceptance into the parade is based upon your completed application. The committee reserves the right to dismiss your unit from the parade route if it differs greatly from the original description in the application.

PARADE ROUTE: The parade starts at the intersection of E Adams Ave and N 8th St, proceeds west along Adams Ave in front of the Municipal Building, all the way to N 23rd St and then turns north and disbands at Temple High School. Total distance 1.4 miles.

RAIN DATE: Tuesday, December 3, 2024. Should weather conditions force postponement of the parade, alternate dates have been established. An email will be sent out to all participants notifying them of any delays, postponements, or cancellations.

ENTRY JUDGING: If you wish to be judged you must indicate that on your Entry Form. It is not required that your entry be judged. Judges are appointed by the Parade Committee and will decide any tie breakers should there be any. All decisions are final and may not be challenged. Entries violating the parade rules will forfeit any award. Judging will occur from the stage at City Hall.
If you are applying as a Tax Supported Entity, you MUST pay the judging fee ($40).

Entries will be judged on three equal criteria:

· Outstanding accomplishment

· Creativity

· Originality in projecting the parade theme

The winners will be posted on templetxevents.com no later than the Wednesday following the parade.

AWARDS: A total of 10 awards will be given to entries with 150 employees or less, based on the parade theme, as follows:

1st Place – Plaque and $650
2nd Place – Plaque and $500
3rd Place – Plaque and $300
4th Place – Plaque and $200
5th Place – Plaque and $100
6th Place - 10th Place – Plaques and $50 each

***award winners must submit their W9 and Vendor Info Sheet, which will be sent to award winners via email, within 30 days to receive their prize. Failure to do so will result in a forfeiture of prize winnings.

PARADE GUIDELINES: The applicant is responsible for the conduct of its participants and agrees to notify all participants of these rules and regulations.
The safety of every single person involved in this parade is our first and main priority, the rules laid out in this document are specifically tailored to ensure everyone has a safe and wonderful time at the parade!

· ABSOLUTELY no candy or other enticements shall be thrown/handed from any entry. Anyone violating this rule will be removed immediately. Children can be seriously injured by running in front of oncoming entries while trying to retrieve candy/handouts. This is considered industry standard.

· WALKERS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO HAND MATERIALS TO SPECTATORS

· The City of Temple’s Santa Claus will ride the anchor float. The Parade Committee selects an “official” Santa Claus for the final float. Replicas of Santa Claus or Mrs. Claus or persons dressed as Santa Claus or Mrs. Claus will not be allowed in the parade. No other live or life-size likeness of Santa Claus or Mrs. Claus is permitted, although replications of reindeer, sleighs, elves, etc. are acceptable. Any group failing to adhere to this will be removed from the lineup.

· Costumes worn by parade participants must meet the rules set by the Parade Committee and conform to the standards of reasonable public taste. Costumes are to be Christmas themed, family friendly, and reflect Christmas colors. Bright colors are highly recommended.

· Participants should be in costumes, or at the very least wearing a Santa/Elf hat.

· DECORATIONS: Entries must have a minimum of 500 lights total and reflect a holiday theme. No vehicles will be permitted to participate in the Parade that are not decorated in accordance with the float and vehicles rules section, with the following exceptions:

o The Parade Committee reserves the right to permit vehicles transporting dignitaries designated by the Parade Committee or to permit vehicles, that uniquely contribute to the parade theme as determined solely by the Parade Committee

· MUSIC: Music is strongly encouraged. Only Christmas/holiday theme music will be allowed. Entries having music or sound amplifying systems shall maintain a volume that will not interfere with other entries.

o Music must be kept on for the ENTIRE length of the parade. Music can be turned off when entry enters the de-staging area.

· Signage should be limited to a traditional Christmas greeting, identifying the sponsoring organization, and/or the theme of the float. All other signs are prohibited unless previously authorized by the Parade Committee.

· NO CHANGES TO YOUR ENTRY: Your parade entry must arrive at the parade location as it is described on your entry form. No changes are permitted to your entry after the entry deadline.

· The use of alcoholic beverages or illegal substances is strictly prohibited before and during the parade. Violators will be prosecuted.

· The standard space allotted for each entry is 40ft in length.

· The use of sirens or horns is prohibited.

· Laser lights are not permitted due to safety considerations.

· COMMENTARY: Please provide a 15-second script about your entry that can be read by our announcers as your unit passes the stage located at City Hall.

o The deadline to submit entry commentary is MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2024. Information received after that date may not be included in the parade script. Participants are solely liable for the accuracy of the commentary provided.

o The entry commentary can be included in the initial entry form, or it can be emailed to the lead coordinator of the parade. Failure to comply will cause the entry to be assigned a line up location at the end of the parade once the description is provided.

· Parade units must follow instructions from the Parade Committee, PARD Staff, and Police Officers. Failure to follow instructions will result in immediate removal from the parade line up.

FLOATS & DECORATED VEHICLES: Floats and vehicles must display Christmas lights with a minimum of 500 lights and reflect a holiday theme.

· Automobiles must be driven by a licensed vehicle operator and be covered under an auto insurance policy.

· Participants must be in costume according to the parade theme. No other live or life-size likeness or Santa Claus or Mrs. Claus is permitted.

· No participants may jump on a float or interfere with any other unit in any way while the float is in motion. Participants shall not dismount from a float 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!

· Drivers must stay with their float/trailer from the time they arrive to the time the parade ends.

· Vehicle headlights must be turned off or covered - please remember to turn them back on or uncover them before you leave the Temple High School parking lot.

· Each participating organization shall procure its own trailer and pulling vehicle.

· The float must have a safety chain attached to the towing vehicle in addition to the hitch.

· Fireproof or fire-resistant materials should be used whenever possible. A fire extinguisher, Type ABC, is recommended for each vehicle. No live flames, open or enclosed, will be allowed.

· Floats should have skirts around the lower part of the structure. Floats and/or miscellaneous vehicles must be completely decorated.

· Vehicles towing floats would be enhanced in appearance if decorated and it is highly encouraged.

· Any combination vehicle which is connected using a fifth-wheel assembly should not exceed 40ft in length as measured from the forward most vehicle component to the rearmost component of the trailer.

· Maximum width: 12ft

· Maximum length: 40ft

· Maximum height: 13ft

***Entries must not exceed 40ft in length without purchasing an additional space.

· Each entry with open air riders must be escorted down the ENTIRE PARADE ROUTE by a minimum of four walkers, one at each corner of the float.

o Walkers should remain in their positions for the entirety of the parade. These walkers may not hand out anything (candy, coupons, etc.) to the crowd or lead animals as they walk. Your presence is needed for safety and not for interaction with those viewing the parade.

MARCHING/WALKING AND PERFORMANCE GROUPS: Must be able to travel the entire parade route from 8th St to 23rd St along Adams Ave, a total of 1.4 miles.

· Only Christmas theme music will be allowed. Participants should be in Christmas colors, costumes, or at the very least, wearing a Santa/Elf hat.

· Performances by bands or dance groups must by accomplished while maintaining the pace of the parade and be performed on the move. Please DO NOT stop and perform along the parade route or in front of the judge’s stand.

· The name of the group or organization must be displayed on an identification banner. The letters shall be a minimum of 8in in height and easily seen. The banner shall precede the entry.

· NO ACROBATIC STUNTS, including but not limited to gymnastics and cheerleading acrobatics. This will not be permitted, and any such attempts are cause for removal from the parade and refusal to participate in future parades.

· Participants under the age of seven years old or who are not in the first grade or above may ride on a float or vehicle but may not march or walk in the parade.

· No vehicle will accompany marching units unless a separate application is submitted for the vehicle, to include payment of the separate application fee. This includes bands and ROTC units.

SMALL ANIMALS (DOGS, OTHER PETS)

· No pets allowed.

LARGE ANIMAL (HORSES, OTHER LIVESTOCK): Participation requires additional qualification.

· Please contact the Parade Committee prior to submitting your application.

PARADE LINE-UP: notification of your unit position will be given out at the Mandatory Pre-Parade meeting.

· Line-up position is determined by the Parade Committee to establish variety. Realignment cannot be considered. Accurate description including the LENGTH of your group/float on your application is vital in determining your placement in the parade.

· The representative attending the line-up meeting must always remain with the entry.

· Non-parade vehicles are not permitted in the staging area.

· The Parade Committee will designate appropriate drop-off and pick-up locations. Each entry is responsible for getting their participants to and from their entry.

· Line up begins at 4pm. Please be patient as we get all floats in their designated location.

· Entries not in position by 5pm will forfeit their participation. Due to high volume traffic, we strongly recommend planning extra time for arrival.

· It is the responsibility of each entry to keep your staging and parade location free of any trash. The Line-Up location is in a residential area, PLEASE be mindful of that as you wait for the parade to start.

· MOVEMENT OF PARADE: all units must keep moving forward and not stop on the parade route at any time. Intentional delay or stopping will not be allowed and could be cause for removal or non-acceptance in future parades.

· Should any entry allow a space of greater than 50ft between itself and the preceding entry to occur anytime during the parade, said entry shall immediately be removed from the parade.

· All units are required to close large gaps between units as instructed by parade officials. Failure to do so may result in removal from the parade. Please keep up the pace.

PARADE NUMBER: The parade number must be visible to ensure the announcers can identify your float and announce your information. Vehicle headlights must be off or covered. Participants will receive their parade number at the Mandatory Pre-Parade meeting.

MANDATORY PRE-PARADE MEETING: This is a mandatory meeting that MUST be attended by at least one representative from your group and ALL drivers. Any entry that does not attend this meeting will result in your DISQUALIFICATION from the parade.

At this meeting, you will be given your official parade packet, which includes your entry number (location within the parade), maps, parking locations, participant and judging information, and more. We will answer questions after the presentation of the parade packets.

· Don’t rely only on passing out copies of your packets. You need to meet with your group to discuss the line up process, parade participation, and de-staging plan. Make sure whoever attends the mandatory meeting can also relay this information to your group in a way that all involved will understand.

Host or Publisher City of Temple Parks & Recreation Department