RULES & INFORMATION
PARADE DATE: DECEMBER 6TH, 2003
11:00 A.M.
THEME: (Available October 15th, 2003)
The parade committee appreciates your participation. We are implementing several "NEW" RULES AND IDEAS THIS YEAR, in hopes to improve the quality and success of our parade.
The COMMITTEE and MARSHALS will be "fair" but "firm" in our decisions to accept the entry you submit. If any entry is in questions – the MARSHALS, approved by the PARADE COMMITTEE, will have the authority to ELIMINATE YOUR ENTRY FROM THE PARADE.
RULES:
DEADLINE -
FOR ENTRY IS – NOVEMBER 19TH, 2003 (5:00 P.M.)LATE ENTRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED…NO exceptions…it is important that the line-up numbers be mailed 2-weeks in advance TO ENSURE a successful parade.
ALL UNITS BEGIN LINE-UP AT 9:30 A.M.
A LIMIT OF (3) ENTRIES PER ORGANIZATION…excessive entries "not pertaining to floats" will be eliminated.
We, the Christmas Parade Committee, reserve the rights to "limit" or "eliminate" entries.
ENTRIES MUST BE 60% DECORATED…this means it must adhere to the theme and tastefully decorated, to include creativity and originality. Not applicable to VINTAGE ANTIQUE CARS or HORSES.
IDENTITY OF YOUR FLOAT: All entries must have two (2) signs for floats or cars. Signs must be "visible" to the judges and media…the marshals will provide the "entry" number as you arrive, December 6th…the number MUST ALSO BE VISIBLE FOR THE JUDGES/MEDIA.
NO TRUCKS, VANS OR CARS WILL BE PERMITTED AS AN ENTRY…unless you are pulling a float…With the EXCEPTION OF VINTAGE ANTIQUE CARS – as stated on application models 1950’s or earlier.
There will be only "one" (1) SANTA CLAUS IN THE PARADE…Any "other" Santa Claus will be pulled from the parade. This is a request of parents "over the years"!
SAFETY: Throwing CANDY, BUBBLE GUM, OR ANY SUCH ITEM, from a moving vehicle is prohibited. Walking or distributing candy from the sidelines will be permitted.
NO ONE WILL BE ALLOWED TO RIDE ON THE HOOD OF ANY VEHICLE.
NO RACECARS: This includes loud cars without proper mufflers to maintain noise level.
MOTORCYLES: Motorcycles or any other vehicle will not be allowed to damage streets, such as burning and marking city property. Marshals are "instructed" to remove any violators from the parade.
NO COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING: Slogans or signs that promote the "sales" of a business are not allowed. THE PARADE IS NOT FOR ADVERTISING…the name of your business and/or organization is permitted "only".
SPACING: All units must maintain fifty-foot (50) between the next entry – at all times.
INFORMATION
FLOATS: We encourage FLOAT & MARCHING BANDS…BEAUTY QUEEN ORGANZATIONS are ask to consider incorporating " your queens" on a constructed FLOAT. We are "discouraging" excessive cars in the parade. If you choose to enter cars – it must be a convertible – please provide cars or a float for queens to "ride together", not to exceed three (3) cars.
TRACTOR TRAILOR TRUCK: If your float requires a "BIG" TRUCK, please make us aware of this, ON YOUR APPLICATION… different "line-up" parking will be planned.
"DROP OFF AREA" BEN SMITH PARK (across from Ellis’ Florist)…
Dance Studio’s and "large" groups with CHILDREN are asked to make sure your child or the PARENT, knows your line-up number. Consider assigning several parents to STAY IN THE PARK – to meet your group, until all have arrived.
PARADE MARSHALS will be wearing orange vest to answer questions and escort or direct you to your line-up location – just give them your assigned line-up #, please…and the NAME "listed" on your entry application. IMPORTANT!
PARADE LINE-UP: The parade line-up will begin at NW Main Street (AAA Office Products) and continue West on NW Main Street to Brinson Road and down Brinson Road, as needed. TRAFFIC WILL BE HEAVY "IN THESE AREAS"…you will not be able to turn on Brinson Road from Hwy. 280…YOU ARE ASKED TO ENTER BRINSON ROAD FROM HWY. 292…OTHER STREETS TO BE CLOSED ARE – COLLEGE, LEADER AND MCINTOSH STREETS - PLEASE COOPERATION WITH THE MARSHALS & POLICE…THIS IS FOR ACCESSIBLITY AND SAFETY OF ALL CONCERNED.
PARADE ROUTE: The parade will begin at the corner of NW Main and McIntosh Street. It will turn right and travel over the railroad tracks and down Church Street to First Street (Hwy.280). It will turn left on First Street (Hwy.280) and proceed east on First Street to Broadfoot Boulevard. The units will disband by turning LEFT OR RIGHT on Broadfoot or continuing east on First Street (Hwy.280) through the intersection.
PARENTS "PICK UP": BI-LO SHOPPING CENTER…all floats and/or entries are asked to disband at BI-LO "AREA" AND/OR have a designated "pick-up" for your group…this will ensure safety for our children and eliminate "lost children".
HORSES: The entry of horses will be subject to discretion of Christmas Parade Committee, with the assistance of a pooper-scooper.
JUDGES: The judges will be at the DAIRY QUEEN, designated MEDIA CENTER. No stops are allowed along parade route except at this location…A 30-SECOND STOP IS ALLOWED HERE.
MEDIA: We ask you to cooperate with our "media center" area – it will provide filming benefits and ensure that the parade will not stop, except at the 30--second stop requested for MEDIA & JUDGES.
The parade will be televised…provide information about your float/entry on the APPLICATION.
SAFETY:
(1) First Aid stations will be set up at the Vidalia Police Department.
(2) Lost children will be carried to the Police Department.
(3) If you need medical or police assistance, ask any marshal (those in orange vest).
MARSHAL ASSISTANCE OR QUESTIONS: The parade committee and marshals are here to assist you. We want you to enjoy participating in the parade and our goal is to facilitate a festive HOLIDAY SEASON for you and your family. From the Christmas Parade Committee "thanks" for your participation and cooperation…may your holidays be happy and bright!
THE CITY OF VIDALIA CHRISTMAS PARADE COMMITTEE…537-7661 or 537-8033.