Safety rules and schedule for the parade:
Rules & Regulations
Vehicles: Any self-propelled conveyance, not otherwise defined as float, upon which a set or display may be constructed and or within which participants may ride, all motorized units of less than two (2) ton capacity shall be defined as “vehicles.” All trailers and/or towed vehicles shall be defined as “floats.” Vehicles shall be limited to pick-up trucks of less than two (2) ton capacity, convertibles, antique autos or any VIP auto. Vehicles will turn off Headlights and operate with the parking/running lights
Marching Unit: Marching units shall be limited to bands and to units which show unusual or colorful displays of costume and drill or performance routines. The City encourages as much color and excitement possible throughout the parade. Marchers shall be at least grade school age. For marchers below grade school age, a separate application must be made to allow those children to ride in a vehicle behind the marchers.
Creative Float: A free-standing, self-supporting, and stable platform on which an appropriate set or display is constructed. If designed to be towed by a vehicle, the float should have two or more wheels, a stable connecting device or hitch, with positioning beneath the float to provide stability for the display and passengers. The applicant is responsible for the stability of the float (whether moving or at rest) and for ensuring the placement of the display and passengers upon the float are provided a stable, safe platform. If self-propelled, the float shall be a truck of no less than two (2) ton capacity, having a suitable bed or platform upon which a set or display may be constructed.
Prohibited Units: With the Exception of Masonic or Shrine units and/or other formally organized vehicle clubs, the following are prohibited from entry and will not be accepted: three-wheeled and four-wheeled “all-terrain” vehicles; dune buggies, race cars, go-carts, and all other off-road type vehicles; campers, camper trailers, and vans; non-motorized bicycles, tricycles, and the like; skates and skateboards; and any other vehicle judged by the City as being unsuitable or inappropriate for the parade. Horses, whether ridden or draft animals, will be permitted only if provisions are made to clean-up immediately after them.
Unit Safety Officer: Each parade unit sponsor, regardless of the type, must designate at least one person of mature judgment to be their Unit Safety Officer and supervise the safety and conduct of everyone associated with that unit. The unit’s driver may not be designated as the Unit Safety Officer; although the driver is ultimately responsible for the safety and conduct of his passengers, the Unit Safety Officer briefs all participants and accompanies the unit throughout the parade. The Unit Safety Officer ensures that children are never left alone or unsupervised, or permitted to wander about the staging areas, or leave the staging area.
Stay Put/Hold On: Passengers on a float or vehicle must remain seated at all times during the parade. No one will get on or off during the parade. There will be no dangling of legs over the side or sitting on the edge of a float or vehicle. Passengers should be able to hold onto something substantial to protect them from sudden acceleration, stopping or turning corners.
CANDY / GIVEAWAY ITEMS: Participants shall have responsible persons walking with their entry to hand out candy/giveaways. No children should be allowed to throw candy from a float or vehicle entry Extreme care shall be used if others are throwing or tossing candy, etc. from floats. It is recommended there will be no physical contact between the parade participants and the spectators during the parade. If a unit is throwing candy, etc. the safety officer shall monitor the activity to ensure it is safely done.
Candy / Giveaway Items: PACE YOURSELF!!! Remember: The majority of the spectators are generally located in the second half of the parade, (Church St. Area).
Drivers: All drivers must be licensed, willing to accept responsibility for the safety and conduct of their passengers. Drivers should drive at a steady speed, maintaining a 2530 foot interval between other surrounding entries, and not exceed 3-4 miles per hour during the route. Drivers should be particularly careful when turning, stopping, or starting to avoid injuring their passengers and or spectators. During the parade route Drivers should avoid allowing intervals larger than the recommended 25-30 foot from the other participants Cooperation of Participants: Prompt and full cooperation is essential to assemble and coordinate a parade of this magnitude. The Unit Sponsor will ensure the Unit Safety Officer and Driver are briefed and given copies of these rules. Units are expected to arrive at their designated assembly areas between 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on the evening of the parade and follow the instruction of their guides. They will be escorted to their assigned location and will not move until directed to do so. Failure to be in place and ready to go at the appointed time or disruptive, unsafe or non-cooperative conduct will result in the unit being eliminated from the parade. NOTE: The Parade staging area at Thomson Middle School is a NO SMOKING AREA. Smoking will not be permitted by anyone.
Prohibited Display: All Displays will be in good taste and inoffensive to the community at large. There will be only one “Santa Claus” in the parade, and this will be reserved for the City of Centerville float at the end of the parade. No other person(s) fully or partially costumed in such a way as to create the impression of “Santa Claus” will be permitted to enter the parade and the vehicle or float upon which he/she would have ridden may also be barred.
Decorations: Decorations, costumes, and signs will conform to the spirit of the season, and generally accepted community standards of good taste and decorum. The City of Centerville reserves the right to rule on their acceptability and may direct they be changed, eliminated, or the unit be disqualified from participation. The City strongly encourages participants to wear Christmas costumes and/or colors, and decorate units with lights.
Music: Units are encouraged to provide music of the season with their entries. Special exceptions may be made for Marching Band units and other school-affiliated performance groups to play non-Christmas selections.
Signage: All Vehicle and Float Entries are responsible for any signage needed to properly identify the entry. Fewer words allow for larger type size and better legibility.
Preparation: Floats should be completed before arriving at the assembly area. Cosmetic repairs or touch-ups are expected after floats arrive, but major construction work will not be allowed and may cause the float to be eliminated from the parade.
Parking: No vehicle parking will be allowed inside the parade staging areas (Thomson Middle School). Vehicles will be allowed to drive through the designated area (Outer Circle) to drop off participants in front of the gym, but not park; traffic will continue to flow on the outer circle. If parking is needed, please park at the Solid Rock Church. Strongly suggest parking at Galleria Mall (end of parade at movie theater/North area parking).
Pick-up Areas: Pickup areas for parade participants, at the completion of the parade, will be at the Northside of the Galleria Mall, at the Movie Theatre north parking lots, and other designated areas as discussed.
SCHEDULE
Monday, December 2, 2019
6:00 p.m. @ City Hall • Safety Briefing for Unit Safety Officers and/or Unit Drivers. • Bring Toys this evening (for Parade Entry fee)
Saturday, December 7, 2019 4:30-6 p.m. Meeting of all volunteers/Parade workers at their assembly areas (Thomson Middle School). All vehicles, floats, and marching units begin to report to their designated assembly areas and are guided into position. 6:15 p.m. Thomson Road closed to traffic from Hwy 41 to Houston Lake Blvd. 6:30 p.m. 30-minute Warning. All units ready to go. Units arriving after this time may lose their place in the parade. 6:45 p.m. 15-minute warning. On order, units begin moving in numerical sequence to start point on Thomson Road 6:45 p.m. Houston Lake Blvd. (from Thomson Rd to Gunn Rd) is closed to traffic. 7:00 p.m. Houston Lake Blvd at Watson is closed to traffic 7:00 p.m. Parade begins. 8:45 p.m. (Estimated) Parade is complete
EMERGENCY POINTS OF CONTACT:
Fire Chief Jason Jones Centerville FD 478-808-9722
Krista Bedingfield City of Centerville 478-808-9745
