Parade Rules

ALLIED SOLUTIONS CARMELFEST JULY 4TH PARADE 

PARADE THEME IS "STARS OF AMERICA" 

PARADE RULES AND REGULATIONS - PLEASE NOTE VERY IMPORTANT CHANGES 

The parade steps off at 10:30 a.m. on July 4th at AAA Way and Carmel Drive. The parade travels west on Carmel Drive to Rangeline Road, turning north to Main Street, traveling east on Main Street, and ending at Richland (4th Street). 

All parade entries will be evaluated before being accepted for sports, commercial, not-for-profit, political, recreation, and children's organizations. Acceptance will be based on the entertainment value of the entry and the execution of the parade theme. There will be entries selected that are not tied to the theme such as celebrities, elected officials, bands and other entries specifically invited for their entertainment value. Creative floats are encouraged for possible awards. The Allied Solutions CarmelFest Parade committee reserves the right to accept or decline any entry.

REGISTRATION RULES AND PROCEDURES

The application deadline is May 31. 

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR LARGE WALKING ENTRIES: There will be a limit of 25 walking participants per unit. Groups such as dance, cheer, athletics, etc. must limit their participants! You may add 6 additional walkers if you are handing out candy. 

IMPORTANT RULES TO FOLLOW: 

Candy may be distributed BUT MUST BE HANDED, NOT THROWN! There will be a candy line down both sides of the street. Children must stand behind this line to receive candy. If they are not behind the line, DO NOT HAND THEM CANDY! People distributing candy must be 15 or older. Parade marshals and the Carmel Police and Fire Departments will be enforcing these rules. Violations will result in forfeiture of future participation in the parade. 

No flyers or coupons may be distributed. If you want to distribute other items such as hats or flags, you MUST receive permission in writing from the parade committee prior to the parade entry deadline of May 31. 

Parade units MUST maintain a forward motion and keep pace throughout the parade route. Performances MUST take place while moving unless an exception is granted by the parade committee. This will be strictly enforced by parade marshals and the Carmel Police and Fire Departments. Please perform as you pass the review stand in front of Flanner & Buchanan on Carmel Drive. 

The parade will be limited to 75 units plus the Military Tribute Grand Finale. This may result in some entries which have participated in previous years not being accepted for this year. 

Allied Solutions Carmel Fest Parade Waiver forms MUST be completed by each entrant. Please print our form and make copies for each member of your unit to sign. You will find the form on the "Parade" page of www.Carmel Fest.net website. Waiver forms will be collected by parade marshals during the lineup before the parade begins on July 4th. 

Strictly commercial entries will not be allowed. Entries MUST either reflect the parade theme or have an entertaining appeal for the spectators. Entries consisting of only vehicles wrapped with advertising or driving billboards will not be permitted. 

During the parade lineup, parade marshals will provide all parade participants with instructions regarding proper parade conduct. Failure to comply with these instructions will result in forfeiture of future participation in the parade. We reserve the right to remove an entry during the parade for violation of these policies. Absolutely NO water guns or soakers will be allowed. 

This is a "G Rated" family event! 

The parade unit, advertising, and signs must be approved by the parade committee. 

Any change made to an entry AFTER committee acceptance must be approved again by the parade committee. If approval of the change is not received, it could possibly cause the entry to be eliminated from the parade. 

All children participating in the parade MUST have direct adult supervision while in a car or truck bed, on a float or walking in the street. 

It is the responsibility of each unit to provide water for their participants. 

Only vehicles pulling floats or providing transportation for entrants will be allowed in the parade. Extra vehicles will be removed at the lineup unless approved in writing prior to the parade by the Parade committee. The registration profile page MUST indicate the exact number of feet needed for the lineup and the exact number of vehicles. 

Car clubs may have up to 20 vehicles which will proceed in 10 rows with 2 vehicles in each row. The registration profile page MUST indicate the exact number of vehicles that will be driving in the parade. 

Equestrian units MUST include a grounds person to provide immediate cleanup for the animals in the unit. 

Dogs and other pets WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO WALK IN THE PARADE to prevent heat exhaustion and harm to the animal from the hot pavement. Additionally, no dogs or other pets will be permitted to ride in CarmelFest provided vehicles for our invited guests. Please provide water for pets riding in your own vehicle or on your float. 

Drugs, alcohol, and tobacco use are not permitted. 

All drivers must hold a valid driver's license and be 21 years of age. 

Only online applications will be considered and MUST be properly completed in all required fields. 

A sketch or photograph complete with lettering and advertising MUST be emailed to the appropriate parade coordinator for your unit. Entries will not be considered without a detailed description, and a sketch or photograph. 

Payments must be made online with a credit or debit card using our Payment link AFTER you have been notified via email your entry was ACCEPTED as a parade unit. Please do not mail a check without permission. 

Parade rules, final instruction packets, and unit numbers will be emailed to the unit contact person approximately one week prior to the parade. Please make sure the correct contact person and their email are listed in the online parade registration form. Lineup information will also be published in the Current in Carmel newspaper.