Fremont 4th of July Parade

Entries - Participant Guidelines

THE FREMONT 4TH OF JULY PARADE:  To celebrate our country’s Independence Day with a parade that provides entertainment, community spirit, and fun for all to enjoy.

ENTRY SELECTION:  All parade entries are by invitation only and are subject to approval by the Fremont 4th of July Parade organization.  Entries are selected on their entertainment value, uniqueness, size, and appearance.  The parade is a “family fun” celebration and parade entries must be appropriate for all ages.  All units should adapt the parade theme in their entry. The Fremont 4th of July Parade will not be used as a platform for special or political interests.  Type of entries considered for the parade include:

* MARCHING MUSICAL UNITS: School Bands, Drum Corps, Independent Bands, etc.

* SPECIALTY: Drill and Dance Teams, Clowns, Novelty Groups.  

* VEHICLES: Antique or Unique.

* EQUESTRIAN/ANIMAL UNITS: Equestrian Teams, Horse Drawn Carriages, Dog Teams, etc.  

* SPECIAL GUESTS: Invited Guests, Dignitaries, and Celebrities.

* FLOATS: Creatively built and decorated moving vehicles.  Professional and Amateur built floats accepted. 

FORWARD MOTION PARADE:  All entries are required to maintain a continuous “forward motion” during the parade.  No stopping to perform for the judges or dignitaries.  Parade officials may change pace or stop forward motion to maintain suitable space between entries.  All marching units must remain in a uniform formation throughout the parade.  Any units that stop and perform for judges will be penalized.

COMMERCIAL BUSINESS ENTRIES:  Any “For Profit” business or individuals representing a business, will be considered, however, must be a sponsor of the parade.  The commercial business entry fee is $100.00.  A commercial business entry cannot be used as a “major” advertisement for the sponsoring business. A creative entry is encouraged. Businesses may be an official “Parade Sponsors” and receive various incentives based on their level of participation.  This entry fee is waived for those sponsoring the parade within the official parade sponsor program.

MARCHING MUSICAL UNITS:  Marching musical units are requested to perform the 1.0-mile parade route.  Unit members are required to be in a uniform.  Summer uniforms will be accepted.

SPECIALTY UNITS/NOVELTY/MARCHING GROUPS:  Drill, Dance, Baton, Gymnastics teams, Clowns, etc. must consist of six members or more to be considered.  Units will be considered on their entertainment value.  Entries requiring vehicles to carry sound systems must notify the parade organizers on the application submitted. Decorated carts or vehicles are required.  Parades are entertaining, thus a marching group should be entertaining and performing.  Marching groups should be in uniformed attire.

VEHICLES:   Vehicles considered for entry must be antique or unique.  Commercial business vehicles such as vans, tankers, farm machinery, tractor-trailers and other large vehicles are not encouraged due to liability and safety concerns.  Vehicles permitted in the parade will be restricted in numbers.  No commercial or private vehicles are allowed in the parade without prior written approval by the parade staff.  The blowing of sirens in the parade is not allowed.  All decorated vehicles must carry a portable 2A10BC fire extinguisher on board.

SPECIAL GUESTS:  Special Guests are by invitation only.  They may consist of local, regional and/or state representatives currently in office or local, regional, and/or national celebrities or notable person.

EQUESTRIAN/ANIMAL UNITS:  The participants must have control of their animals at all times.  Equestrian riders should be at least 8 years of age and accompanied by an adult trainer.  Any animal deemed unsafe in the parade will be removed.  All animal entries must insure the animals are provided water for the potential hot day.  We ask animal units to provide a “clean-up” crew to follow their unit in the parade.  If a unit cannot provide, please notify parade organizers in advance.

FLOATS:   Floats must be a decorated trailer that is self propelled or pulled by a tow vehicle.  It is encouraged to have the tow vehicle decorated and incorporated into the float theme.  A description of the float design with size dimensions must be submitted with the parade application.  Floats should not exceed 50 feet in length, including the tow vehicle, or more than 14 feet in height or 10 feet in width.  Any float over these size requirements must receive written permission from the parade staff.  Float applicants must follow the “Fremont 4th of July Parade Float Guidelines” that will be mailed following receipt of entry application.  A portable 2A10BC fire extinguisher, current dated, must accompany the float. Young children riding on a float must have adult supervision on and around the float.

PARTICIPANT AGE RESTRICTIONS:  Walking participants must be at least six years old or older.  There must be a least one adult escort for every six children under the age of thirteen years old.  Young children riding on a float must have adult supervision on and around the float.  Please remember that one mile or more is a long walk for young children.  The 4th of July day can be very hot for all ages.

PARADE JUDGING:  A panel of community judges will judge all qualifying entries.  Judges decisions are final.  Parade award winners will be announced shortly following the parade and posted on the parade website.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Only a significant act of nature will cancel the parade, of which all units would be notified.  If, for some unforeseen reason, your unit is not able to participate in the parade after being accepted, you must contact the parade staff, at least two weeks prior to the parade date.  Entries that cancel within two weeks of the parade without substantial reasons may jeopardize future invitations.  Entries absent on parade day without proper notification may not receive future invitations to the parade.

ENTRY APPLICATION FORM:  The entry application form must be completed and signed with the understanding of the general rules and guidelines herein. Entry forms that are improperly completed will be contacted for clarification. The parade organizers reserve the right to reject any entry at any time and all decisions are final.  Applicants will receive notification of acceptance.  Staging instructions will be mailed approximately two weeks prior to the parade.  The general rules and guidelines listed are for the safety and quality of the parade and all participants.  Failure to abide by these rules and guidelines and those presented with the parade information packages, may result in the unit's removal from the parade.