Download these Rules & Regulations (119 kb PDF)

Theme – Proud to be Canadian

Thank you for your interest in participating in the parade.
Below is what you need to know to participate.
We look forward to a beautiful Canada Day, and a GREAT Parade!

Event Date: Friday July 1st 2011

Event Time: 11am Start

Check-In
The contact person must check-in upon arrival, at the registration desk located at the  entrance to the marshalling area. For large groups, it is only necessary for one person per group to check-in.

Participant Drop-off/ Pick-up & Parking
All walking participants and float riders should arrive at Mentor College (map to be forwarded )  no later than 9:30am to pick up the shuttle to the marshalling area.  Cars can be left there until after the parade. A continuous shuttle will leave Mentor taking participants to the marshalling area beginning at 8:00am until 10:00am.  Anyone arriving after that time may have a hard time getting to the marshalling area so please stress the importance of promptness on that day.

Walking Entries
Walking Entries must support a theme and use signs and costuming to promote that.  The theme should be within the scope of the parade.  These groups will walk down the route and require no vehicle support.  

Floats
All floats must be registered and decorated by the participating group.  A FLOAT can be prepared on a flatbed or, on a trailer pulled by another vehicle.  A maximum of 2 vehicles will be permitted per entry. Each must be decorated.  Only 1 name or logo per entry.

Bands
All Marching Bands will be asked to arrive by 10am and line-up within the Marina enclosure.  The Band leader can pick up breakfast tickets at the check-in tent.   

Marshalling area
The marshalling area is at 1 Port St E and the marshalling numbers will be prominently posted.  All LARGE motorized vehicles and floats will be gathered on Port St E …all small vehicles, walking entries and bands, will gather on the west side of the Marina bldg ( please follow the signs)

Pancake Breakfast
A FREE pancake breakfast will be provided for all participants from
8:00am - 10:00am at the Marina.  Tickets will be at check-in.
Coffee and tea will be offered at an extra cost by a local charity.

Judging
All Floats will be judged prior to the parade and ribbons awarded.
All Bands and walking entries will be judged during the parade. The judges will be on a rooftop patio between Elizabeth St and Hurontario, on the south side.
Winners will be announced later on the main stage and awards will be mailed.

Parade Safety
All vehicles must be in good mechanical order.  Drivers must remain with their vehicle at all times, once at the marshalling area.  All drivers will be asked to bring the vehicle directly to the marshalling area by 9:30am.  All children are the responsibility of the participating group and must be with an adult at all times during marshalling and participation in the parade.

IMPORTANT***No materials (including candy) are to be thrown from the floats. Hand-outs may be made by having people walking along the sides of the parade route and handing things out to the crowd.

Insurance
All motor vehicles must be able to present evidence of insurance for bodily injury and property damage liability with combined single limits of $2,000,000, to participate.  

Please note:
*No entries will be permitted advocating, opposing or depicting political, religious or social issues, that in the opinion of the Parade Marshall, do not meet the objectives of the parade.

** All floats and vehicles must be appropriately decorated .  Non-decorated vehicles will not be permitted to participate with the exception of Classic cars and those used for invited dignitaries.

***The parade coordinator determines the location of all entries in the Parade and the entry must maintain that position at all times during the parade.  

**Failure to adhere to the above rules and regulations could result in expulsion from the parade