Parade Entry Information
This is your invitation to participate in the annual Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival Parade -- Saturday, June 25, 2011 at 10:00 AM in downtown Cedar Rapids
The route: Cedar Rapids’ downtown district along 2nd and 3rd Avenues, finishing at Greene Square Park. The parade is produced by Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival, Inc.
2011 Freedom Festival Parade Theme: CELEBRATE!
We encourage you to incorporate the parade theme into your entry.
ALL vehicles and groups MUST convey a festive and patriotic motif.
Parade fees:
No fee – Military, Veterans or Public Safety Groups
$20 – Non-profit organization entries
$50 – Commercial, Business or Non-Public Safety Government entries
$65 – Political Campaign Entries
Registration Deadline: Noon, Friday, May 20, 2011
Please return the enclosed entry form along with your parade fee to the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival no later than Noon on Friday, May 20, 2011. You may also complete the Parade Entry form online. You will receive additional parade line-up information (including the parade route and staging area map) within two weeks AFTER the May 20 registration deadline. Parade numbers will be distributed when your entry is in its staged area the day of the parade.
Staging & Other Information:
Staging of the parade entries will begin at 8:00 AM on parade day, June 25. The parade will begin promptly at 10:00 AM. An award ceremony will be held following the parade in Greene Square Park. Plan on stopping in front of the media cameras (they’ll be positioned in front of the Freedom Festival office at 226 2nd St. SE) for at least 10 seconds so they have time to get more than one quick shot of all your group for your hard work!
We hope you’ll be a part of this year’s Freedom Festival Parade. If you have any questions, please contact Freedom Festival staff at (319) 365-8313.
Rules
- All entries are subject to approval of the Parade Manager.
- No entry over 13-feet high will be allowed, due to overhead clearance limits.
- ALL vehicles must be decorated, and units are urged to incorporate the parade theme: Celebrating Eastern Iowa’s Patriotic History.
- Commercial/Business entries are limited to one (1) vehicle.
- All entries must provide their own identification, signs, etc. to be adequately identified by the judges and spectators.
- Entry fees are: $20 - Non-profit entries; $50 – Commercial/Business/Non-Public Safety Government; $65 – Political entries; No fee for Military, Veterans or Public Safety groups. Make checks payable to the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival. Entry forms and fees must be delivered to the Festival office by Noon, Friday, May 20, 2011.
- By submitting this Entry Form, you agree to release Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival and our sponsors and indemnify them from liability for any injuries or damage that may occur (a) to any participant in your entry; and, (b) as a result of actions by any participant or component or portion of your entry.
- All participants must obey Parade Marshals at all times.
- Coupons, candy or other items may be passed out to spectators on roadsides, hand-to-hand ONLY. For safety reasons, throwing candy or other objects into the crowd is NOT PERMITTED.
- No littering or discarding of decorations or other materials on public streets or private property, including dumpsters.
- Freedom Festival has been granted a permit allowing live animal entries in the parade. No special requirements are in place, however should air temperatures be extreme at parade time, we may be required to remove certain animals from parade participation. Please be certain all animals are current on their vaccinations and are wearing appropriate tags if applicable; and, provide ample fresh water for your animal(s). Also, please be prepared to immediately collect from the parade route any feces generated by your animal(s).
- Any violation of parade rules will result in immediate removal from the parade.
When completing the form, please provide a detailed description of your entry, including any music that may be part of the entry. Promotional information about your organization may also be provided for use by the Parade Masters of Ceremonies. Entry judging and awards will be given based on originality, creativity, appearance, use of theme, and overall quality. Awards to winning entries will be presented following the parade.
Parade entries will be judged, and awards will be presented based on the following categories:
- Judges’ Choice
- Best Use of Theme: CELEBRATE!
- Best Original Float
- Best Animal Unit
- Best Walking Unit (1st & 2nd Place)
- Best Decorated Vehicle (1st & 2nd Place)
Questions? Contact the Freedom Festival staff at 319-365-8313
Deliver completed entry form and parade fee no later than NOON on Friday, May 20, 2011 to:
Freedom Festival – Parade, 226 2nd St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
Related Items