PARADE RULES – PLEASE READ
1. A Parade Marshal will be on duty in each staging area as well various locations along the parade route to ensure the smooth and orderly progression of the set up and of the parade itself. Marshals will have the authority to remove any unit (entry) causing a delay, violating official festival parade rules, or failing to cooperate.
2. Parade line-up and staging will begin at 1:30 a.m in the main parking lot of Charlestown High School, located near the intersection of Park and Monroe Streets, in Charlestown. All entries (except floats competing in the parade float contest) must be in position and ready by 2:30 p.m.
3. All units (entry) must check-in upon arrival with a Parade Marshal and be directed to their assigned staging area.
4. Participants must provide current and accurate publicity (media) information concerning their unit, for the parade narrator, with their registration.
5. Parade will promptly begin at 3 p.m. from the staging area described in #3 above.
6. The use prior to and/or possession during the parade of any alcoholic beverages, by any unit/entry member, is forbidden.
7. Under no circumstances shall any participant, unit or entry move to a different position within the parade line-up, before or during the parade, except under the direction of a Parade Marshal. Riding participants will not be permitted to jump off and back on units/entries while the parade is in progress.
8. Proper unit spacing, and parade pace is critical. Parade speed will maintain approximately four (4) feet per second. Voluntary stopping for drill formation, reverse marching by bands or drill teams cannot exceed 45 seconds.
9. Participants riding in vehicles or tailors must provide their own vehicles and drivers. Insurance and liability are the sole responsibly of participants.
10. Support vehicles for marching units will not be allowed in the parade.
11. Parade participants are expected to conduct themselves in a courteous manner.
12. Candy must be SAFELY tossed (NEVER THROWN OVER-HANDED) to the parade spectators. Any participants caught throwing candy or objects in the intent to harm any person or group will be asked to exist the parade and may disqualify their entry from the parade contest, if applicable.
13. Any unit whose sole purpose, as determined by the Parade Committee, is for advertising only, must meet these specific guidelines (A) Participants must provide their own signage; (B) Signs must be in good taste, or they will be disallowed.
14. Walkers can be present during the parade.
15. These rules are subject to change on short notice. Advance notice will be given appropriately. Failure to comply with the parade rules will result in unit member or entire unit (entry) removal from the parade (even in progress) and/or future participants banning.
16. Parade entrance “position” is 1st come 1st serve.