Parade Rules & Regulations

City of Napa July 4th Parade

The Napa 4th of July Parade is a family friendly event, showcasing our patriotic spirit. As part of the entry application, you/the organization must read and sign the following rules and regulations, developed for a safe and entertaining parade:

ENTRY FEES INFORMATION

All fees must be paid at time of application. Payment may be made via Venmo or check. If application is mailed, include check in the envelope. Use the following address for mailing: 

Rotary Club of Napa Sunrise
P.O. Box 5324
Napa, CA 94581

*Please include name of entry on memo of check & payment method of choice.

If you would like to pay by debit or credit card, then you can do so by making a payment through our Venmo account: 707-290-0762.

FEES PER ENTRY TYPE

GENERAL RULES

• ALL parade entries MUST showcase the 250 Anniversary parade theme or Independence Day
• The Parade participants must be “family friendly” appropriate to be seen by all ages
• The Parade may not be used as a platform for any special interests or business advertising
• Music is encouraged to accompany the entry
• Staging instructions and parade placement will be emailed one week prior to the parade
• The rules and guidelines are for the safety and quality of the parade. Failure to abide by these rules and will result in removal from the parade.

THIS IS A FORWARD MOTION PARADE

• All entries must be able to keep up the pace of the parade, and stay within 50 feet of the entry in front your entry. People on foot must be able to walk at a brisk pace at ALL times in the parade. There will not be a judge’s stand for individual performances.
• There will be two spots to perform your exhibition. Otherwise, you must keep moving (no additional stops).

NO TOSSING OR DISTRIBUTING HANDOUTS, CANDY OR FAVORS:

• Nothing can be tossed or handed out along the parade route or curbside

IDENTIFICATION SIGNS

• Identification banners are encouraged for entries in the parade
• Signs must be for identification purpose only and not as an advertisement or political statement

MARCHING MUSICAL UNITS

• Musical units are requested to perform the one-mile parade route
• Unit members are required to be in uniform attire

FLOATS

• Floats cannot exceed 50 feet in length (including tow vehicle), 13 feet in height and 10 feet wide
• Float entries must follow the “Parade Float Guidelines” that will be mailed following receipt of the entry application

NO DRONE USAGE

• Drones are not allowed at the parade. 

MARCHERS / SPECIALTY UNITS  

(Clowns, Color Guards, Drill/Dance/Baton, Scout Groups)

• Entries requiring vehicles to carry sound systems must notify parade organizers on the application. Carts or vehicles accompanying the entry must be decorated
• Drill / Dance routines must be choreographed for forward motion. No stopping to perform

VEHICLES:

• Vehicles considered for entry must be antique or unique

• Commercial business vehicles, which must be decorated with only one entry per business

• Vehicles permitted in the parade will be restricted in numbers, car clubs are limited to 8 cars per club

• All vehicles must be properly insured and drivers must have proper driver’s license

EQUESTRIAN / ANIMAL UNITS:

• No more than 6 horses per entry.

• Any animal deemed unsafe in the parade will be removed
• All animal units must provide their own “clean-up” crew to follow their unit in the parade
• Equestrian riders should be at least 12 years of age and accompanied by an adult trainer
• All equestrian entries MUST have trainers walking with every two horses
• Please be aware that during warm weather, pavement may be hot for animals, by signing below you agree to take full care for your animals health and safety.

PARTICIPANT AGE RESTRICTIONS:

• Walking participants must be at least six years old or older
• There must be a least one adult escort for every six children under the age of 13 years
• Young children riding on a float must have adult supervision on and around them

FINALLY

• Only a significant act of nature will cancel the parade, of which all units would be notified
• Entries absent on parade day without proper notification may not receive future invitations
• Every entry wants to be in the front of the parade! We try hard to balance types of entries and ages/abilities of participants. Remember we are there to have fun – Please do not get upset with parade volunteers or participants. To ensure the best parade placement, volunteer to be on the Parade Committee