Parade Rules

Peninsula Celebration Association Invitational Independence Day Parade Rules
(Revised 3/13/2018)

The Annual Independence Day Parade is presented for entertainment purposes only. It is not designed as a forum for political, social, religious or economic ideas or doctrines. Therefore, no such entry will be permitted. The parade committee reserves the right to reject any entry if not in an established category of uniformity set forth in the guiding rules.

Failure to comply with all rules could cause penalties and/or disqualification.

All Entries

  • All new parade entries must attend a parade workshop.
  • Parade units must maintain a FORWARD MOTION at all times. All instructions and directions from Parade officials must be obeyed.
  • Minimum age to march in our parade is ten (10) years old.
  • Participants under ten (10) years of age must ride on a float or in a vehicle and must be accompanied by a person 18 years or older at all times.
  • For safety reasons, all living things on a moving entry must be secured. No one is allowed to ride on running boards, hoods, roofs, fenders, or external platforms.
  • No objects are to be handed out, thrown, sprayed, or discharged in any way or at any time along the parade route.
  • No parade participant, vehicle, float, etc. shall carry, display, or transport any sign, poster, or printed message. A banner carried in front of the entry may be permitted to identify the unit or group and all such banners must be approved in advance by the parade Committee.
  • All persons riding motorcycles, bicycles, scooters, skateboards must wear helmet and protective gear.
  • A commercial entry must enhance the parade.
  • No alcoholic beverage of any type will be allowed.
  • No type of abusive language will be allowed.
  • No unit may re-enter the parade route more than one time for competition, regardless of any changes made.
  • If a unit is removed from the parade route for specific reason, it is not allowed to re-enter.
  • Any entry not completing the parade route will not be eligible to receive an award.
  • Units with animals must maintain control of them at all times. The animal must enhance the entry.
  • Units with sound or noise must be noted on the written application, and must maintain a set decibel level as to not interfere with other units. This setting will be calibrated in the formation area with meter. The set level for sound is 85db at 50 feet. Boom boxes are not effective in the parade environment.
  • Any entry not completing the parade route under its own power will be penalized.
  • No loaded weapons or discharging of firearms will be allowed.

Bands

  • All bands should play continuously along the parade route.

Banners

  • Identification banners are encouraged for entries in the parade and must be for entry identification purposes only. Listing of telephone numbers, addresses, or text statements on a banner or sign will not be allowed.

Color Guards

  • A color guard must consist of at least four persons and must carry a National Flag and one other flag.

Drill Teams

  • Individual majors/majorettes must be a member of a participating unit.

Equestrian

  • No bareback riders will be allowed.

Floats

  • Float or tow vehicle driver must remain with float at all times.
  • All new (first time) float entries must attend a float workshop.
  • All float decorations must be flame resistant and conform to the Fire Department Regulations.
  • Each float and each tow vehicle must carry at least one ABC fire extinguisher. 2-A:10-B:C, with current certification or purchased with in the last 90 days of Parade, receipt required day of parade.
  • All float entries will be inspected by the PCA and may be inspected by the Fire Department.
  • The float entry that receives the Sally Morrison Grand Sweepstakes Award (highest overall point total) wins the assigned cash prize and trophy, and is removed from competition in their entered category.

Vehicles and Motorized entries

  • Where applicable, operators of motorized parade entries must provide a copy of proof of liability insurance as part of their parade application. A valid driver's license and current vehicle registration must be available on parade day.
  • All motorized parade entries are to be operated in the center lanes of the streets along the parade route.
  • Motor vehicles in groups can not be operated more than 2 across (i.e. side-by-side).
  • Motorized parade entries will not be driven directly at or toward spectators at any time.
  • Motorized parade entries will not be operated within 8 feet of spectators and must be operated in such a manner as to not affect the safety of spectators or other parade units.
  • Motorized parade entries must be operated in accordance with the State of California Department of Motor Vehicle codes.

Vehicles - 1949 or older

  • The number of vintage vehicles will be limited. and selected by the Parade Committee from the list of entries submitted. All vintage entries must submit a photo with their application.

Classic Vehicles - 1950 - 1969

  • The number of classic vehicles will be limited. and selected by the Parade Committee from the list of entries submitted. All classic vehicle entries must submit a photo with their application.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

THE PARADE STARTS AT 10:00 AM.
You will be notified of which Division you are in by advance email the second week of June. This same information will be posted on our web site www.parade.org.