Rules & Regulations

By entering an application online and pressing “Send Unit Registration” you agree to the following:

“I/we have read and understand the following rules of the Owensboro-Daviess County Christmas Parade Association, and furthermore understand, that should ANY member/passenger of my/our group fail to adhere to the aforementioned rules, the entire unit will be removed from the parade at the nearest intersection, and furthermore will not be included in any future Christmas parade.”

  • All entrants must comply with the rules of the parade and follow instructions given to you by parade officials.
  • All units must be driven by a licensed and insured driver.
  • All units must be decorated for Christmas with the parade’s theme in mind and be approved by the Parade Committee. (Strictly enforced – don’t show up without being decorated)
  • Each unit is asked to display at least 1,000 Christmas lights. (Exemptions are pageant members, marching units, and other entries that have prearranged with the Parade Committee. If you have a question about your entry, please feel free to contact us.
  • Only Christmas music allowed.
  • No reckless, careless, or dangerous maneuvering of vehicles is allowed.
  • No actions that would endanger spectators along the streets.
  • No profanity.
  • No smoking or light sticksthat resemble cigarettes.
  • Due to space constraints this year, your entry fee includes your float and vehicle used to pull it. We ask that no extra vehicles are parked with your entry.
  • No additions, changes, or substitutions to the number/type of vehicles in your entry may be made on parade day.  If changes to entry information submitted on your application must be made, please contact us at least 3 days prior to parade day for approval.
  • No advertising of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products.
  • The parade committee no longer allows anything to be handed out except candy. Over the past several years we have noticed that material that is handed out ends up on the side walk. That’s a waste of money on your part, plus it’s a waste of the committee’s money to clean up afterwards.
  • For safety reasons, no item of any kind may be thrown from a unit in the parade. This includes candy, brochures, toys, etc.  Candy may be handed out, but not thrown.  Please advise all individuals involved with your unit of this regulation.  Violation of this rule will result in immediate removal from the parade, and possible elimination from  future parades.
  • All floats must have an accessible fire extinguisher on board.  FIRE EXTINGUISHERS ARE MANDATORY!
  • All entries must submit completed entry forms, the appropriate entry fee, and receive an official entry number before being permitted to participate in the parade.
  • Entrants that include live animals MUST comply with the City of Owensboro’s pooper scooper laws.
  • All entries MUST display a sign with their entry number, at least 18” square, on both sides of the unit.  You will be notified of your entry number prior to the parade by email.
  • There is one, and only one, Santa and Mrs. Claus allowed in the parade. They will ride on the official Santa Float at the end of the parade.  Violation of this rule will result in immediate removal from the parade and barring entry in following Christmas parades.
  • Please keep in mind that the Owensboro-Daviess County Christmas Parade is geared toward the children of our community, as such, no entries making political or social statements will be accepted without prior approval from the Parade Committee.
  • Entry fees are not refundable.

Anyone in violation of any of these rules will be removed from the parade; entry fees will not be refunded.

COVID-19 LIABILITY WAIVER

By attending or participating in this event, you are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present.  By attending or participating in this event, you and any guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and agree not to hold the Owensboro-Daviess County Christmas Parade Association, or any of their volunteers or agents, liable for any illness or injury.

NOTICE OF PHOTOGRAPHY AND/OR VIDEO RECORDING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Owensboro-Daviess County Christmas Parade is an annual event that is videotaped and broadcast locally throughout the holiday season. By participating and/or observing the parade, you may be photographed and videotaped as part of preserving this event. As such, your image or likeness may appear on television, in the newspaper, on our website and/or on our Facebook page or other social media. As such, it is understood that you as a parade participant and/or observer will hold the Owensboro-Daviess County Christmas Parade and its board members harmless for the use of your image should it occur, including but not limited to right of publicity or financial remuneration.

Judging Guidelines

Commercially manufactured/rented floats will be eligible for certificates only…no prize money.
You may contact us with any questions at [email protected] .

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