
Floats Rules and Regulations
Volunteer
Vendor
Parade Application


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**PLEASE NOTE: In compliance with City of Richmond code, all parade floats must have a fire extinguisher rated at least 2A-10BC, and document decorative materials as flame resistant. For complete information, see Code Sec. 46.1-61 or contact the City of Richmond's Fire Prevention officials at 646-6640.**
- The parade will begin at the Science Museum on Broad Street
and will proceed east, towards downtown Richmond, turning
left on 7th Street, where the Parade will conclude.
- The 2009 theme for the parade is “Celebrating Metro Richmond’s Charitable Spirit.”
- The Parade will be held RAIN or SHINE.
- All units must submit a completed application with fee
and have permission to participate in the Parade. All applications
must be received no later than Friday, October 30, 2009.
- The appropriate entry fees will be due with the application.
Once accepted, your check will be deposited. ENTRY FEES:
Corporate Units |
Professional Associations |
Non-profit Units
(501-C3 only) |
| $500 |
$350 |
$150 |
- Corporate recognition, or overt representation, of any
kind within a unit will designate that unit as a Corporate
Unit.
- Receipt of application does not guarantee acceptance in
the Parade. You will be notified via email within approximately two weeks from receipt of the completed application if your unit is accepted. An e-mail of your
script will be due by November 6, 2009.
- In mid-late November, you will be sent limited parade
permits to enter line-up area. This permit must be displayed.
Any vehicle without the permit will not be permitted
to enter line-up area.
- In order to meet the broadcast time restraints, the Parade
Committee is forced to limit the number of participants.
The following is a list of those units NOT ACCEPTABLE as
Parade entries:
Any Automobile/Car Clubs
Marching Units with Artificial Sound
Athletic Clubs
Non-performing Walking Groups/Individuals
Decorated Trucks, Cars, or Trolleys
Commercial Vehicles
Boy/Girl Scouts
Beauty Pageant Winners
- Since many organizations are similar, the Parade Committee
is forced to limit the number of similar groups accepted.
The following is a list of those types of groups and the
limitations:
| Band |
Limited to 12 |
| Clowns |
Limited to 5 |
| Horses |
Limited to 5 |
| Skating/Bicycling Groups |
Limited to 3 |
| Majorettes/Drill/Dance |
Limited to 4 |
- All units must reflect a holiday theme, or the theme chosen
by the parade committee, and must not be predominantly commercial
in nature. Organizations may display their names and greetings
only on their unit and not on any other vehicles.
- No materials of any sort (candy, toys, leaflets, etc.)
are to be thrown or otherwise distributed from the floats
or any other unit. Violations of this rule will result in
the removal of the unit from the Parade, and the violating
group will not be allowed in the next year's Parade.
- It is your responsibility to arrange the pick-up of all
float riders, band members, etc. from the disband area located
in the parking lots near the Richmond Coliseum.
- Please refrain from the use of alcoholic beverages before
and during the Parade. Anyone disobeying this rule will
be removed from the Parade. The entire unit could be removed
at the discretion of parade officials.
- Any vehicles needed by a unit will be provided
by the Parade. There will be no extra vehicles following
any units.
- Your unit must look exactly as described and accepted
in your application. Any unauthorized changes or additions
(including additional vehicles) to your accepted application
may cause disqualification of your unit at the time of the
parade.
- Any walking units should be aware that the street could
have some residual dirt or debris and should take any precautions
necessary.
HORSES Back
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- Any unit and/or other animals MUST make arrangements
to have animal droppings "scooped" immediately. Please,
no autos or trucks should be used for picking up the droppings.
Droppings may not be dumped at disband area!
DAY OF THE PARADE
ALL UNITS Back
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Please be PROMPT! Tardiness may cost your participation
in the Parade. You should arrive at your assigned time, which
will be listed in your final Parade orders letter. Enter the
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) from Leigh Street (behind
DMV); enter Leigh Street from the Boulevard. DO NOT attempt
to enter the DMV from Broad Street, as it will be closed,
and the police are instructed to allow no one to enter from
that point.
- All groups MUST assemble prior to arriving at DMV and
enter as a SINGLE GROUP. Under no circumstances will individual
group members be permitted to enter the area. Groups or
volunteers must park at the VCU lot at the end of the parade
route. Buses are available from 7 a.m.-9 a.m. to bring individuals
to the Science Museum staging area.
- Space is limited at the formation area, and only those
vehicles with the official parking permits will be allowed
to enter.
- ALL UNITS MUST KEEP THE PARADE MOVING AT ALL TIMES! Please
remember that unless directed by Parade Officials or a Police
Officer there is to be NO STOPPING!
- The Parade will be held RAIN OR SHINE. Dress warm,
be safe and have fun!
- Roll call of all units will be conducted at 9:30 a.m.,
once this is complete, any unit that has not arrived will
be eliminated from the parade. Parade will step off at approximately
10:00 a.m.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Ukrop’s - Supervalu Christmas Parade
5306 Caledonia Road
Richmond, VA 23225
Phone: (804) 788-6478 Information/Voice Mail number
FAX: (804) 788-6477
E-mail: info@richmondchristmasparade.org
www.richmondchristmasparade.org
FLOATS
NOTE: Building your float will cost your organization time
and money. The parade has professional float builder contacts
which can build a float to your needs. This cost is typically
comparative to doing it yourself but gives your organization
the added benefit of time and allows your organization to
have sponsorship benefits.
DESIGN Back
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- The first step in planning any float is to thoroughly
read all of the information concerning entry fees, deadlines,
transporting the float and most importantly, safety requirements
and parade rules and regulations. The next step is to borrow
a float trailer, which will determine the size of the float.
In general each float must be completely covered on all
exposed parts, including the wheels of the vehicle. Floats
should be constructed and decorated so that either side
is equally appealing.
- In all phases of float design, try to keep the format
as fun and as eye appealing as possible. If the theme is
humorous make sure that no one can be offended by it. All
floats must reflect the theme and must not be
predominately commercial in nature. All entries MUST
send a picture or sketch of the unit with the application.
If a picture or sketch is not received the application will
be RETURNED! Floats not meeting standards for appearance
will NOT be allowed in the Parade.
- No unit other than the float designated by the Parade
Committee as the "Official Santa Float," may have any individuals
dressed as Santa or Santa-like figures or representation.
- All floats must be complete and available for inspection
by the parade officials by Tuesday, December 1, 2009.
Please indicate on application where float will be located
at that time.
BUILDING SPECIFICATIONS Back
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- The maximum dimensions of unit shall not exceed: Length-
62 feet; Height - 14 feet; Width - 12 feet.
- No part of the frame, when fully decorated and loaded
can be lower than 6 inches from the ground.
- The deck must be entirely covered with a decorative material.
To calculate the amount of material needed, calculate the
length times the width of each differently colored area.
- All props and structures on the deck must be fireproof,
be of sound construction and be professional in appearance.
It is recommended that everything attached to the deck be
covered with floral sheeting (or a similar type material.)
Props should be shaped by cutouts, plywood or wallboard.
Forms should be covered with chicken wire using brads, nails,
staples, etc. The decorative covering should then be cut
and stapled, pinned or hog-ringed to cover the prop. The
amount of decorative material used for covering flat areas
is figured the same was as the deck covering.
- The skirt should consist of the floral sheeting or other
decorative material. Festooning and fringe should be used
on the skirt to outline form and shape. Petal festooning
should be used to cover the fringe line, where the skirt
ends, to the white header of the fringe. Festooning is also
ideal for wrapping poles, creating canopies, or forming
letters in any script. Calculate the total length of the
skirt in linear yards by adding both ends and both sides
of the skirt.
- Floats may bear the name of the organization/business
and the name of the theme depicted by the float. All signs
must be of high quality and easily readable to spectators.
- Letters on each float should fit into the overall size
context of the float. In most cases, the letters should
be no more than 14 inches high. Size of logos should be
uniform with other words displayed on float.
- GENERATORS: All generator ground wires should be
in compliance with SECTION 150.6 of the National Electrical
Code. All electrical lines should be fused on larger than
15 amps. All generators MUST have gas tanks of sufficient
size to supply unit for duration of Parade. There will be
no refueling during the Parade.
- All floats must adhere to the following Fire Regulations:
Pass final inspection by City Fire Marshall.
Furnish the inspector with a certificate from the
party performing the flame-proofing and a listing of the
materials used. If using pre-packaged flame retardant materials,
please retain the certificate from the package.
EACH FLOAT MUST ALSO BE EQUIPPED WITH A MINIMUM -
1, 10lb., ABC-TYPE, FIRE EXTINGUISHER.
Fire proofing decisions are made at the discretion
of the City Fire Marshall; the parade committee has no authority
over these decisions.
** For additional information, refer to Section F-1602.0
of the BOCA basic Fire Prevention Code. If you have further
questions, please call the Richmond Fire Dept. at 780-6333.**
- Sufficient wheel and dolly clearance shall be incorporated
such that no interference with the chassis, or any associated
structure, will occur during any mode of the operation of
the float.
- If there is music on the float, it must be kept at a very
low volume.
- Float materials may be purchased directly from Mr.
Dick McClure (local float builder) at 6004 Ellis Avenue,
Richmond, VA 23228, Home: (804) 266-6808 Work (cell): (804)
399-1531.
- If you would prefer to have a float professionally
built for your company, contact the parade office at (804)
788-6478 or info@richmondchristmasparade.org. The cost for
float packages range from $2,500 to approx $7,500 (including
parade fees).
FLOAT RIDERS AND WALKERS Back
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- For floats which have standing riders, seat belts or safety
railings must be incorporated. Flooring must have adequate
strength to safely hold all riders. No sharp projections
shall be present about the perimeter of the float from a
height of ground level to seven feet above ground.
- Float riders should be used only when they serve a useful
function to the overall theme of the float and must be constructed
appropriately to fit that theme. No arms or legs
are to hang off the side of the float. All riders MUST stand
or sit in the middle of the float.
- Any float riders under 12 years of age must be accompanied
by an adult.
- Float sponsors may use up to 8 walkers
with their floats. They must be costumed to comply with
the general theme of the float and be spread out along the
float.
- Riders and walkers should not be using cell phones except
in an emergency.
- Riders and walkers should not wear long hanging clothing
items such as scarves.
ALL FLOATS MUST Back
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- Be complete and ready to go prior to reporting to inspection
area.
- Report at their designated locations by the time designated
on your parade orders on the day of the Parade. The pulling
unit and driver will remain with the float placement in
the Parade by the Parade Official. No other vehicles
are allowed with the float.
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