Participants understand that the parade is an event organized by the City of Mission Viejo for the specific and sole purpose of celebrating the 250th Anniversary of America. The City reserves the right to evaluate any presentation proposed to be demonstrated by any parade participant, and to disallow any presentation which is determined to conflict with the goals of the parade. In exercising this discretion, the City will not discriminate based on race, religion, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin or disability. All entries must be consistent with the parade theme and maintain the decorum of the event. No entries that include proselytizing or attempting to win converts to any particular religious, political, social or other viewpoints will be accepted.
To keep in mind as you plan for the parade:
- The parade will take place rain or shine. No alternate date will be scheduled.
- Participants are expected to conduct themselves in a courteous and safe manner, and to present themselves and their displays in good taste.
- Participation in the parade is strictly limited to those that have properly registered in advance.
- No weapons or replicas allowed, except for law enforcement officers and color guards with ceremonial firearms.
- Participants must commit to walk or ride the entire parade route (1.1 mile)
- Safe speeds and control must be maintained by all participants at all times, as not to endanger people or property.
- Participants riding in vehicles or trailers are required to provide their own vehicles, drivers, and insurance.
- Participants are requested to display identifying signage. Providing and carrying the signage is the responsibility of the participant.
Please note:
- No political signage will be allowed in the parade. This includes signs that recommend voting for particular people, propositions, or any other solicitations.
- Parade participants shall not represent themselves as a political group, advocacy group or as an individual advocate of a particular political viewpoint. Each individual will represent themselves, individually or collectively, not as a particular political persuasion and not those of who are affiliated with a particular political party or political organization or political viewpoint. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is common and for elected public officials to participate in the parade. Such participation is allowed, so long as the public official does not promote a political campaign or cause as part of their direct participation in the parade itself.
- No parade participant will wear hats, t-shirts, signage, or have amplified sound that promotes a political candidate. Political candidates, their staff or volunteers are not permitted to publicly promote the candidate while participating in the parade.
- Clothing, vehicle displays, floats, decorations, wording or images on signage will be such that it can be displayed in public and in front of minors. For example, prohibited images and signage include, but are not limited to:
- Images or displays that promote discrimination of any kind based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or sexual innuendo.
- Images or displays that promote political causes or candidates.
- Images or displays that are clearly obscene, and would not be appropriate for minors attending or participating in the parade.
- The designated Parade Marshal(s) have the authority to demand that a parade participant, group or individual, remove and/or discard images or signage deemed to violate this agreement. Failure to comply with the Parade Marshals’ demands will lead to expulsion and disqualification from the parade.
- Any organization or individual misrepresenting the intent to participate in accordance with the established rules will be denied participation in the parade, and potentially in future parades as well.
- Nothing stated herein shall prohibit individuals who are not participants in the parade from engaging in protected speech activities in public areas outside of the official parade or route, in accordance with First Amendment rights.
Day of the parade:
- All participants must check-in upon arrival with parade coordinators and be directed to their assigned staging area.
- Under no circumstances shall any participant move to a different position within the parade lineup before or during the parade.
- Parade coordinators will be available to ensure the smooth and orderly set up and the parade procession. Parade organizers have the authority to remove any participant, violating parade guidelines, failing to cooperate with instructions, or causing a delay.
During the parade:
- Participants are not allowed to distribute pamphlets, coupons, or other materials along the parade route.
- You must stay 25-30 feet (3 car lengths) behind the participant in front of you. Please do NOT bunch up or allow a large gap to form in front of you.
- Participants agree to follow the outlined parade route and maintain the pace set by officials.
- In the interest of time, participants are not allowed to stop and perform routines along the route or in front of the stage area. Failure to comply with this request may result in a ban from future parades.
- Animals in the parade must be immediately followed by "scoopers."
- These guidelines are subject to change without notice. Failure to comply with the guidelines can result in the removal before the start of the parade, during the parade and possible elimination from any future parades.
Restrictions
California Fire Code Compliance:
- Decorative Material. Decorative material on parade floats shall be noncombustible or flame retardant.
- Fire Protection. Motorized parade floats and towing apparatus shall be provided with a minimum 2-A,10-B;C rated portable fire extinguisher readily accessible to the operator.
Fire Safety Recommendations
- The fire extinguisher must have a current State Fire Marshal certification tag indicating that the extinguisher has been serviced within the last year. The gauge must indicate that the extinguisher has pressure. The extinguisher must be mounted so that it is accessible to the operators. Do not obstruct the extinguisher with decorative material to hide its location.
- Open flame devices are prohibited on parade floats. The use of fuel fired torches, candles, or similar devices which can ignite are prohibited.
- Fireworks/firecrackers are not permitted to be discharged.
- No smoking on or near any floats at any time.
Safety Guidelines
Float Vehicles:
- Stabilized props on a float should not exceed 12 feet in height or width. Overall height of all floats should not exceed 16 feet. Objects may exceed these requirements only if they can be controlled to allow proper maneuvering with regard to traffic lights, telephone wires, corners and spectators.
- Floats, including tow unit, must not exceed 55 feet in length. The float must be designed to maneuver the several corners along the parade route without delaying the forward motion of the parade or causing potential hazards.
- Float beds must be sturdy and capable of carrying the weight to be imposed.
- Float vehicles should be properly registered and insured.
- The float vehicle must be properly serviced for gasoline, water, oil, brakes, tires and battery prior to entry into the parade. NO extra gasoline, other than in the vehicles tank, can be carried on the float vehicle and engine should be clean of excessive oil and grease residue.
- Floats must have a minimum of 12 inches ground clearance from the frame. Nothing can drag on the roadway from the float. Proper clearance of materials from around the wheels of the vehicles must be incorporated to avoid any materials being caught in them.
- Decorative materials used must be flame retardant/non-combustible and the parade structure must be kept clear of the exhaust system of the motorized float.
- Portable generators must be used carefully. Do not allow the heated exhaust to come in contact with the parade float. Generators must be equipped with a metal exhaust. Do not overload temporary electrical wiring (an electrician should do all float wiring). Secure extension cords properly; do not let them drag on the ground, contact tires or the drive train.
- Inspect your electrical appliances before energizing the parade float.
- Portable generators shall be secured to the parade float. Re-fueling of generators will not be permitted.
- Plastic sheeting (visqueen) and plastic tarps will not be permitted.
- Hold a safety meeting with the float staff early. Be prepared, identify the hazards and plan your strategy, should an unexpected event occur. Identify the location of the fire extinguisher and know how to shut off the generator and other electrical equipment. Identify a method to alert the driver to stop the parade float.
- If music is part of your float, this must be included in your event application. The music must maintain a volume that will not interfere with others participating in the parade until marching along parade route. Applicant is solely responsible for obtaining permission for the use or; perform in conjunction with the special event of any material copyrighted under state or federal law. Applicant must ensure that all necessary licenses or other permissions to use or perform copyrighted material, including performance of live or recorded copyrighted music, are obtained in advance of the special event.
- The use of Animals is prohibited, unless approved through permit process.
Float Drivers:
- Floats must be escorted to and from the parade site. If unescorted, proper running lights should be attached to the float vehicles.
- Drivers must possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license and be adequately trained to drive their float. Drivers must be a minimum of 18 years of age.
- Once the float is in position in the staging area, a driver and representative must be in attendance at all times in the event there are questions, problems or if the float needs to be moved.
- The operator (driver) must have a clear field of view of 180 degrees and a wide field of view to avoid other floats and the crowd.
- If the float needs to back-up they must provide sufficient personnel to guide the float.
- Motorcycles - all drivers and riders must be wearing a safety helmet approved by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard.
- The operator (driver) must have proper ventilation.
Float Riders:
- NO ONE will be permitted to ride on the float as it is being transported to and from the parade site.
- No children under the age of 12 years will be permitted to ride on a float without adult supervision.
- All passengers standing or sitting on the float must be wearing a safety belt or have handholds or other support while the float is moving.
- No riders will be allowed to ride on the edge of the float. Any float with riders or articles hanging over the edge before or during the parade will be subject to removal from the line of march.
- Anyone under the age of 18 riding a bicycle must wear proper safety equipment including a helmet at all times.
- No smoking is permitted on the float.