2017 PITTSBURG HOLIDAY APPLICATION & PARADE MANUAL

Transcription

1 2017 Pittsburg Holiday Parade Manual & Application 1

2 2017 PITTSBURG HOLIDAY APPLICATION & PARADE MANUAL CONTENTS: Application/Manual (page 1 2) Parade Information (page 3) General Guidelines (page 4-8) Drill Teams / Marching Units Equestrian / Animal Vehicle / Novelty Parade Route (page 9) Parade Rules (page 10-11) Parade Application (page 12 15) Event Contact: Lollie Gutierrez, Recreation Supervisor 65 Civic Avenue, Pittsburg (925) office (925) cell PARADE INFORMATION & UNIT COMPOSITION Parade Overview: What: 2017 Pittsburg Holiday Parade When: Saturday, December 9, 2017 Participant Arrival & Set Up Times: TBA (will be sometime between 8:00 am and 10:00 am); read below for application information Theme: Think Pittsburg! Overview: The first Pittsburg Christmas Parade was held December 6, 1987 and was coordinated by the first President of the then newly formed Pittsburg High School Band Boosters, Esther Anderson. At that time, the Pirates Marching Show Band was under the direction of Orrin Cross, III. The event was a HUGE thank you to the Pittsburg community for their help in raising the much-needed funds for 2

3 the new marching band uniforms. Over the course of the years the parade route has changed and has now found its way to Old Town Pittsburg, heading down Railroad Avenue starting at Eighth Street and ending at Fourth Street. This year s Holiday event will take place on Saturday, December 9, Festivities will include the Holiday Boutique, Peppermint Playland at the Plaza, and the Holiday Parade featuring the Pirates Marching Show Band, various dignitaries and elected officials from the City of Pittsburg and our local community, and the arrival of Santa Claus. Deadline: Deadline for applications is November 17, Downloadable applications are online at 3

4 General Parade Guidelines The following is a description of the ideal parade composition based on categories of units to be recruited. The descriptions include best-practice-standards guidelines for unit design and participation. Ideally, between 40 and 50 units will comprise the parade. For all units, imagination is called on to create unique displays of lights and to create entertainment value. Parade units should delight both the eyes and ears, so consider both how all unit look and how they sound, too (no loud sudden sounds, it scares the horses). All units must present entertainment value; none can be strictly commercial or promotional in nature unless they are official parade sponsors whose participation includes that benefit. Floats Floats are motorized units either towed or self-propelled that are decorated to follow the theme of the parade. They can be as small as golf carts or as large as flat beds, as long as they conform to the dimension standards stated below. Participants must be costumed to complement the float decoration and theme. Non-uniformed or costumed team members may not participate in the parade. Any tow vehicles must be disguised, decorated, or incorporated into the float. Structure must be completely decorated including top and all sides. Only one vehicle may pull a float; no other vehicles may accompany the unit. All float structures must provide a fire extinguisher mounted in plain view on each float and be available to the driver and/or entertainers; all riders on the float must be instructed in its use. A float may carry as many people as safety dictates; however, a maximum of 10 people may walk in the street with a float; everyone accompanying a float must be in coordinating uniform or costume 4

5 Maximum dimensions 14 wide x 30 long x 13 height from street level. Floats and trailers must use safety chains. All props on floats and trailers must be properly secured, braced or tied down to prevent movement. All floats and trailers must provide adequate safety measures for all riders to prevent falling from platforms. Every float structure must have Exterior Frontal towing capability; if your float breaks down, tow trucks must be able to tow the unit through the parade if circumstances permit. Drivers of any vehicles must be duly licensed and must show a valid driver s license the day of the parade at registration, and to law enforcement officials upon request. Sources: Community Organizations Fraternal Clubs Schools Sororities/Fraternities Youth Organizations Precision Drill Teams & Alternative Marching Units Ideally, 8 10 drill units will be recruited. Drill units can encompass alternative drill teams (the mop brigade, synchronized briefcase team, rapping librarian book mob, etc.), flag teams, a color guard, pompom squads, dance teams, motorcycle drill teams, etc. Non-uniformed or costumed team members may not participate in the parade. Walking units that are unique entries or special appearances shall exhibit excellent showmanship and delight the spectators with coordinated costuming. Walking units must consist of 5-50 fully costumed or uniformed walkers. Units must incorporate some sort of activity and/or sound while walking, i.e. close order drill, dance, use of props, unique costuming, etc. Smaller walking units may be combined with other entries to create a large themed unit. We will assist in the combination of the entries. Units are NOT permitted to stop for cameo performances on the route. All performances must keep pace with the speed of the parade. Sources: 5

6 High Schools Colleges Military Posts Clubs Dance Studios Ethnic Organizations Marching Bands Ideally, three or more band units will be recruited. Consider high school marching bands, military bands, college bands, alumni bands, drum & bugle corps, etc. Bands add sound, necessary for a good parade. All participating bands must incorporate lighted decoration and be uniformed. Non-uniformed or non-costumed band members and walkers may not participate in the parade. Sources: High Schools Colleges Military Posts Salvation Army Alumni Associations Equestrian / Animal Units A handful of equestrian units would be ideal. However, be sure that only experienced units are recruited because the nature of a parade can easily spook an animal that has not been trained to participate in parades. Equestrian units should not be placed near marching bands or large vehicles. Equestrian units must have experienced parade riders and handlers. Equestrian units can include horse-drawn carriages. Non-uniformed or costumed team members may not participate in the parade. Other animal units that are NOT horse-related are permitted, such as dogs, camels, or other parade-trained four-legged. Animals that will be in the parade must be accustomed to being around humans and crowds, walking for long distances, and can handle the noises of bands etc. Units are NOT permitted to stop for cameo performances on the route. All performances must keep pace with the speed of the parade. Sources: Equestrian Clubs 6

7 Carriage Ride Companies Animal Clubs Budweiser Stables Mounted Police Vehicles Motorized vehicles include such things as fire trucks, VIP convertibles, the Grand Marshal, City service vehicles (trash trucks, front loaders, etc.), etc. NO SEMI OR TRACTOR TRAILER TRUCKS will be permitted. Drivers of any vehicles must be duly licensed and must show a valid driver s license the day of the parade at registration, and to law enforcement officials upon request. Sources: Sponsor Cars City Council / Mayor Rider Grand Marshal Sanitation Equipment Fire Department Novelty Units Novelty units are unique entries or special appearances and should exhibit excellent showmanship and delight the spectators with coordinated costuming. This category includes costumed characters, clowns, children s costumed processions, helium balloons, etc. Characters must be in full costume; any persons accompanying the character must be in costume as well. Participants are responsible for ensuring that all copyright permissions are sought and obtained in the event that they are using characters subject to such protection. Event organizers do not provide such consent and comply with all applicable laws governing copyright protection. Units are NOT permitted to stop for cameo performances on the route. All performances must keep pace with the speed of the parade. Sources: Clubs Community & Civic Organizations Youth Organizations Clown Troupes Neighborhood Groups Families 7

8 Parade Route & Staging Parade route is on Railroad Avenue, starting at Eighth Street and ending on Fourth Street. Registration and Staging will be on Eighth Street. Judging will be on Fifth Street and Railroad Avenue. 8

9 2017 HOLIDAY PARADE RULES 1. All participants are reviewed by a selection committee and must make a formal application. Submission does not ensure acceptance for participation. 2. Fireworks, firearms, and pyrotechnics are prohibited. 3. Once parade has begun, unit or members of unit must remain in line until parade is over, and must take direction from parade marshals along the route who are managing the pace of the parade. 4. All units are encouraged to display their group names. 5. Youth entries must provide a minimum of 1 adult chaperone for every 4 children. 6. Individuals not associated with the parade unit will not be allowed into the staging area. 7. No units may toss candy to parade spectators because of the liability of children darting into the parade path to retrieve candy. Costumed participants who walk along-side floats may approach the sidelines to distribute candy hand-to-hand. 8. If the unit is not in the staging area by 9:00 a.m., the unit will forfeit participation and be disqualified from the parade. 9. No alcohol or illegal drugs will be allowed in the staging area or on the units in the parade. This is a zero tolerance policy. 10. No stopping at any point in the parade- all units are required to follow parade marshals direction on speed. NO CAMEO performances will be permitted that 9

10 cause the parade to stop. All units must be prepared to perform while continuing to move along the parade route. 11. The event reserves the right to remove anyone from the staging area for any reason. 12. All entries must be fully covered by insurance during the full period of production and performance. The Parade does not provide liability insurance for the protection of parade participants, spectators, vendors, or merchants engaged in these activities and does not assume or accept responsibility for claims filed as a result of them. 13. The 2017 Holiday Parade, Pittsburg Arts & Community Foundation, and the City of Pittsburg are not responsible for any personal property damage due to any cause, and by signing this application; each unit agrees to assume responsibility for any damage involving their entry. 14. Any vehicle used in the parade must be registered and licensed by the State of California. All vehicles in the parade must have working brake lights and turn signals. 15. Proof of insurance must be present in the vehicle at all times during your participation in this event. 10

11 SCRIPTING FOR TELEVISION AND PROGRAMS Spell names phonetically to insure correct pronunciation by announcers. Full Title, Theme, and/or decorative description of your unit: Describe a way you have made a positive impact to the community: Names and titles of persons with your unit: 11