Kilmarnock Lighted Christmas Parade
2026 Parade Entry Application
THE THEME IS CHRISTMAS!
Be festive. Be creative. Light it up!
Parade Night: Friday, December 11, 2026
Parade Time: 7:00 PM — RAIN OR SHINE
Important Times
Line-Up: 4:30–5:30 PM / Everyone will be given a line up window closer to the day.
Final Entry Cutoff: 5:45 PM — No entries will be admitted after this time.
Judging: 5:30–6:30 PM
Parade Begins: 7:00 PM
Application Deadline
All applications and applicable payments must be received by Sunday, November 22, 2026, at 8:00 PM.
NO EXCEPTIONS.
Before beginning the registration process, please gather accurate information about your entire parade entry, including:
Number and type of vehicles
Number and size of trailers or floats
Total length of your complete parade unit
Total height of your complete parade unit
Total width of your complete parade unit
Number of participants
Number and type of animals, if applicable
Complete description of your parade entry
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
The individual submitting the application is responsible for ensuring that all participants associated with the entry understand and follow the parade rules and regulations.
Please read all rules and regulations carefully. Failure to follow these requirements may result in removal from the parade and/or suspension from participation in future parades.
IMPORTANT: Entry Size & Height Requirements
Accurate entry dimensions are required for ALL parade entries.
Parade units are staged and lined up behind Chesapeake Commons. We have a limited amount of staging space, and accurate measurements are essential for us to properly assign every entry a location.
When completing your application, you must provide the TOTAL LENGTH of your complete entry as it will appear on parade night.
How to Measure Your Entry
One vehicle: Provide the total length of the vehicle.
Vehicle + trailer or float: Provide the combined length of the vehicle AND trailer/float.
Multiple vehicles: Provide the combined total length of ALL vehicles included in your entry.
Include any additional equipment or components that are physically part of your parade unit.
Do not provide only the length of your float or trailer if a vehicle will be pulling it.
We need the total length from the front of the first vehicle to the end of the entire parade unit.
Why This Matters
Accurate measurements are extremely important. When an entry is significantly longer than the dimensions provided on the application, it creates staging and lineup problems for every entry assigned behind it.
Please measure your complete unit carefully before submitting your application.
⚠️ 13-FOOT MAXIMUM HEIGHT — STRICT REQUIREMENT
NEW/HEIGHTENED REQUIREMENT FOR 2026
NO PARADE UNIT MAY EXCEED 13 FEET IN TOTAL HEIGHT.
This requirement is extremely important and will be strictly enforced.
The 13-foot maximum includes the entire completed unit, including:
Vehicle or trailer
Decorations
Signs
Props
Lighting
Displays
Structures
Any other item extending above the unit
THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THE 13-FOOT HEIGHT LIMIT.
Please measure your completed unit carefully. An entry exceeding the maximum height may be prohibited from participating in the parade.
Maximum Unit Dimensions
HEIGHT: 13 feet maximum — STRICTLY ENFORCED
WIDTH: 10 feet maximum
LENGTH: 50 feet maximum
By submitting an application, you are confirming that the dimensions provided are accurate and that your completed parade unit will comply with these requirements.
Parade Route & Staging Information
Mandatory Parade Safety Meeting
An authorized representative from each parade entry must attend the Parade Safety Meeting:
Tuesday, December 1, 2026
6:30 PM
Lancaster Community Library or via Zoom
A Zoom link will be emailed to registered participants prior to the meeting.
During this meeting, entries will receive important information regarding:
Entry category and lineup assignment
Staging location
Parade route
Participant drop-off locations
Participant pick-up locations
Parade-night procedures
Safety requirements
It is imperative that you or an authorized representative from your organization attend this meeting.
The final parade lineup will be posted on the Chamber website during the week of the parade and will also be emailed to the address provided on your application.
General Rules for Participation
Please be prompt for lineup. Late arrival may prohibit your entry from participating in the parade.
NO LIVE SANTA may be used in any entry. The official parade Santa is the only Santa permitted.
No unauthorized sirens or horns may be used during the parade.
DO NOT THROW CANDY OR OTHER OBJECTS. State law prohibits throwing items from parade entries. Walkers may hand items directly to spectators at the curb.
Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
The consumption of alcoholic beverages before or during the parade is strictly prohibited. Anyone violating this rule will be removed from the parade. Parade officials reserve the right to remove the entire entry when appropriate.
All entries must keep moving at all times. Unless directed by a parade official or law enforcement officer, entries may not stop along the parade route.
All participants are responsible for collecting and removing trash or debris from their staging area and the parade route.
Walking units should be aware that streets may contain residual dirt, debris, or animal waste and should take appropriate precautions.
Drivers of all motorized units must be at least 16 years old and possess a valid driver's license.
Float & Motorized Unit Requirements
All General Rules for Participation also apply to floats and motorized units.
Floats should be constructed and decorated so that both sides are equally attractive and parade-ready.
All units must incorporate lighting. This is a lighted Christmas parade!
Undecorated parade units will not be permitted, with the exception of emergency service vehicles.
Your parade unit must reasonably match the description submitted with your application.
Incomplete units may be disqualified from judging.
All units must comply with the parade's maximum size requirements:Length: 50 feet maximum
Height: 13 feet maximum — STRICTLY ENFORCED
Width: 10 feet maximum
Generators must have sufficient fuel capacity to operate for the entire parade. No generator refueling will be permitted during the parade.
Each float must have an appropriate fire extinguisher on board. Fire extinguishers will be checked during lineup.
The unit driver must remain with the vehicle at all times while in the staging area.
Entries with Animals
All General Rules for Participation also apply to entries involving animals.
Parade participants are responsible for the immediate cleanup of all animal waste.
This requirement applies to the staging area, parade route, and disassembly/pick-up areas.
Animal waste may not be left or dumped at any parade location.
Parade Judging Categories
Parade entries will be eligible for recognition in the following award categories:
Grand Marshal's Award
Best Overall Entry
Spirit of Christmas Award
Best Non-Commercial or Church Entry
Judges' Award
Best Use of Lights
Chamber of Commerce Award
Best Commercial Entry
Youth Award
Best Youth Entry
Ryan Wilcox Memorial Award
Best Decorated Fire Truck
The Caroll Lee Ashburn Showmanship Award
Best band, dance, marching group, choir or performance group.
Thank You!
Thank you for helping us provide a safe, festive, and enjoyable Kilmarnock Lighted Christmas Parade for our entire community!
We appreciate your cooperation with the parade rules, staging requirements, and safety procedures. Accurate information from every entry helps us create a smoother and safer parade experience for participants, volunteers, spectators, and law enforcement.
Questions?
Lancaster by the Bay Chamber of Commerce
Phone: 804-435-6092
Email: info@lancasterva.com