The Belton Chamber of Commerce invites you to participate in the 4 th of July Parade Symbols of Freedom APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: 1. The following is all the information you need to apply for participation in the Belton parade. Even if you have participated in the parade in the past, please read all the information carefully. Requirements have changed and past participation does not guarantee acceptance for the 2013 parade. 2. This packet contains general information and rules that must be followed by all units. Not following guidelines could result in dismissal from parade line-up and from future 4 th of July parades. We want the parade to be enjoyable and SAFE for participants and spectators alike. 3. PRE-PARADE MEETINGS: All participants must register and attend one of the pre-parade meetings scheduled for: Thursday, June 20th, 7 p.m. & Saturday, June 22nd, 10 a.m. Central Texas Council of Governments Building 2180 N. Main St., Belton, TX 4. DEADLINE: In an effort to provide lineup information to all units prior to the parade date of July 4th, we will begin creating the lineup in early June. Therefore, ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE POSTMARKED BY THE DEADLINE OF FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 2013. Late entries will receive no commentary during the parade, be subject to a fee of $75.00 plus the cost of entry and be placed toward the end of the line-up. The parade chair has the sole discretion of accepting entries after June 7, 2013. 5. FEES: Make checks payable to: Belton Area Chamber of Commerce. Member commercial, business, and for-profit organizations $ 50.00 Non-member commercial, business and for-profit organizations. $300.00 (Includes optional chamber membership dues for 1 year for 1-10 employees valued at $200.00. Membership fee may vary according to # of employees) Not-for-profit organization (must present 501-C3 document) $ 20.00 All others (Car clubs*, sports teams, clubs, etc.)...... $ 20.00 Late Fee (For groups registering after June 17 th )... $75.00 plus cost of entry IF YOU ARE A COMMERCIAL BUSINESS, OR A FOR - PROFIT ORGANIZATION PARTNERING WITH OR SPONSORING A NON-PROFIT UNIT YOU WILL PAY THE COMMERCIAL ENTRY FEE. RETURN ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS TO THE CHAMBER OFFICE. PARADE CHAIRMAN BELTON AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE P. O. BOX 659 412 EAST CENTRAL AVENUE BELTON, TEXAS * Please see multiple vehicle entries rule
General Rules: *The following items must be submitted by June 7, 2013 for your application to be considered for participation. 1. Completed application form. 2. Entry Fee (check made out to the Belton Area Chamber of Commerce) 3. Waiver of liability (signed by one member of your unit) 4. Proof of 501 C 3 status if entering as a not-for-profit. 5. Coggins certification for equestrian units. *Acceptance: Your acceptance into the parade is based upon your application. The committee reserves the right to dismiss your unit from the parade route if it differs greatly from the original description in the application. All participating organizations (sponsors, co-sponsors, partners, supporters, etc.) must be listed on the unit application. If you plan to partner with a commercial business or organization in any way (i.e. hanging banners, etc.) you must include that information in your application. Applications will not be accepted for any crusading movement of a general controversial nature. Please do not advocate social, ethnic, or political change. *Line Up: Line up order is determined by the parade committee to establish variety and to insure even flow of the parade. Adequate description of your group/float is important on the application. This helps distribute the various types of units. *Commentary: Participants must provide current and accurate publicity information, in one (1) brief sentence for the parade announcer by June 14. Commentary exceeding the ine (1) sentence limit will be cut after one (1) sentence. Information received after June 14 may not be included in the parade script. *Safety: Belton Police Officers, Belton Fire Department members, and Parade Officials will be monitoring unit behavior and actions throughout the parade. Failure to comply with rules will result in your removal from the parade. Parade officials will be wearing yellow safety vests. *Good Taste: Each entry shall be in good taste and contribute to the entertainment value of the 2013 parade theme: Symbols of Freedom with participants in uniforms/costumes or decorated vehicles/floats. Red, White, and Blue decorations are a must. *Movement of Parade Flow: All units must keep moving forward. Units must not stop on the parade route at any time. Intentional delay or stopping will not be allowed and could be cause for non-acceptance in future parades. Performances by bands, dance groups, clowns, go-cart groups, and motorcycle groups etc. must be accomplished while maintaining the constant movement with the flow of the parade. Performances must be performed on the move. Please keep up the pace and keep moving. *Equestrian Units: Horse Units must provide their own clean up crew that immediately follows their units. Clean up must begin at line-up! Provide a clean-up person for every five horses. Coggins papers will be checked for all horses riding in the parade and are required at time of parade application. A golf cart or gator is allowed to carry the clean-up crew. *Cancellation Policy: The parade will take place rain or shine. No refunds will be issued because of weather. In case of inclement weather, decisions will be made by Belton Police Department and the Belton Area Chamber of Commerce. *Assembly Time: Non-judged units should arrive in their designated staging area no later than 9 a.m. Judged units see section for Float Judging below. Instructions for entry to the staging areas will be given at one of the pre-parade meetings. *Alcoholic Beverages: ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE PROHIBITED at any time or under any circumstances during line-up or during parade appearance!
*Water Guns and Projectiles: WATERGUNS & PROJECTILES ARE PROHIBITED. Units may not employ squirt guns, super-soakers, or any other device to spray any liquid or toss any sort of object to the crowd or on the parade route. *Sirens / Horns: No sirens or horns are to be used along the parade route. Lights are acceptable. *Distribution of Materials: No materials may be distributed along the route during the parade. The prohibitions on throwing and distributing material will be strictly enforced by parade officials and the Belton Police Department. *Float Judging: Judging of floats will take place before the parade at the staging areas. Judging categories will include most beautiful float, most representative of theme, best sound, people s choice and best decorated vehicle. Winners will be awarded prior to the parade. *Political Entries: Political candidates and political office holders are invited to participate in the parade. The candidate or office holder must be present and must ride the parade route in a vehicle. Parade entry may involve 1 average size vehicle in which the candidate or incumbent rides with whomever fits in the vehicle with them. No one will dismount to greet or walk among the spectators. Political candidate volunteers are not allowed to walk along side of the vehicle. Volunteers are encouraged to hand out information prior to the start of the parade and then are invited to join in the parade as spectators. *Display of Name & Number: All units shall bear the name of the community, organization, company, or individual responsible for its entrance in the parade. The letters should be at least 8 in height and visible. The parade number must be visible to insure the announcers can identify your float and announce your information. This is absolutely necessary as the parade will be televised by KCEN on channel 6.2. There is a possibility that not every entry will be televised as time on air may not permit. Entries will be randomly selected by KCEN to air on television and is in no way determined by the Belton Area Chamber of Commerce, its Board of Directors, Parade Committee or any person affiliated with the Belton Area Chamber of Commerce. *Music: Playing of music with vulgar lyrics and profanity is not allowed. Music must be suited for a family audience. *Multiple Vehicle Entries: No more than five titled vehicles per entry.
Belton Chamber of Commerce 4 th of July Parade and Celebration WAIVER AGREEMENT I, the undersigned, have agreed for my own benefit to participate in the Belton Chamber of Commerce 4 th of July Parade and Celebration. I understand that inherent in my participation in such events and activities, such events to include without limitation, parades, is the risk of serious personal injury and property damage. I understand that the Belton Chamber of Commerce will not provide me with protection against such injury and damage, and I assume all risk of such injury and damage to myself and all others under my direction and control, and to my property and all other property under my direction and control. I hereby waive and release any claim I have or may have in the future against the Belton Chamber of Commerce, City of Belton, and any of their officers, directors, employees, agents and volunteers, for any personal injury (including death), property damage and other damage I may sustain, whether or not caused in whole or in part by the negligence of such officers, directors, employees, agents and volunteers, which occurs during or as a result of my participation in any of the events and activities held in connection and/or under the direction of the above-referenced entities. Furthermore, in the event I agree to operate a vehicle in connection with any of the events and activities held in connection with and/or under the direction of the Belton Chamber of Commerce, I represent that I am validly licensed to drive such vehicle in the events and/or activities and that I have purchased automobile insurance as required by Texas law, and that I am responsible for complying with all laws that apply to me as a driver of a vehicle. I also agree to obey the rules put forth by the Parade Committee of the Belton Chamber of Commerce. DATE SIGNATURE OF UNIT REPRESENTATIVE PRINTED NAME OF UNIT REPRESENTATIVE NAME OF UNIT OR ORGANIZATION One person in your unit must sign and submit this form to the Belton Chamber of Commerce Parade Committee by June 7, 2013. Application will be void if not accompanied by this waiver.
PARADE APPLICATION Name of Individual or Group: (Please print) Sponsor/Contact Person(s): Mailing Address: Phone Number: Other Phone : E-mail: Fax: Unit Classification: CHECK ONE (Entry fee must accompany application) Member commercial, business, and for-profit organizations...$ 50.00 Non-member commercial, business and for-profit organizations...$ 300.00 (Includes optional chamber membership dues for 1 year for 1-10 employees valued at $200.00. Membership fee may vary according to # of employees) Not-for-profit organization (must present 501-C3 document)......$ 20.00 All others (Car clubs*, sports teams, clubs, etc.....$ 20.00 Late Fee (For groups registering after June 7, 2013)....$75.00 plus cost of entry Will your entry have music? No Yes If Yes, will it be amplified? No Yes Participant Categories: (Check all that apply) Unit s first time in parade? No Yes Marching Group - # of marchers Walking Group - # of walkers Drill Team - # of members Marching Band - # of members (No one under 7 allowed to march the entire route) (No stationary performances by any group) Elected Official Political Candidate Incumbent (All must ride in vehicle) Equestrian and/or Carriage- # of horses # of riders (coggins papers required) # of clean up crew following group (1 clean up person per every 5 horses) Animal Group - # of animals Kind of animal # of clean up crew Float & Vehicle Group* Length, Height, Width, # of cars, # of bicycles, # of motorcycles, # of go-carts, # of trucks, # of people riding in vehicle, # of fire engines/trucks, # of floats, # of tractors, # of walkers accompanying vehicle, # of trailers, # of antique cars. JUDGING**: Would you like your entry to be judged? No Yes * See General Rules - Multiple Vehicle Entries **See General Rules - Float Judging
Media Information If accepted into the parade, the following information will be used by the Parade Committee and the Parade Announcers. Please include colorful details when describing your organization/group. The committee and announcers reserve the right to edit any information. When was the group/organization formed? How many years has the group/organization participated in the parade? Brief Description/history of group/organization in one (1) sentence (commentary exceeding the limit will be cut after one sentence): The Belton Area Chamber of Commerce Parade Committee thanks you for your participation in the 4 th of July parade. Please review rules and regulations. Direct questions to: Mark Arrazola, Belton Area Chamber of Commerce 254-939-3551
NAME of INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP: Application Received Date: Waiver Received Date: Media Information Received Date: Pre-parade Meeting Attended: Unit Number Assigned: Payment Received: 501 C 3 :
2013 Schedule of Events Tuesday, July 2 Kick-Off BBQ 11:30am to 1 pm Yettie Polk Park Thursday, July 4 Patriotic Program 9:00am - North Steps of Bell County Courthouse Parade 10:00am - Noon 10th Ave. & Main to Central & Birdwell - Downtown Belton Festival on Nolan Creek 11:00am - 4:00pm Yettie Polk Park PRCA Rodeo 7:00pm - Expo Center Friday, July 5 PRCA Rodeo Military Appreciation Night 7:00pm - Expo Center Saturday, July 6 PRCA Rodeo Family Celebration Night 7:00pm - Expo Center July 4-6 Western Gift Show @ Bell County Expo Center 5:30pm - End of Rodeo July 3-6 Carnival @ Confederate Park Times at rodeobelton.com Sunday, July 30 First Baptist Church, Belton God & Country Concert 3:00pm UMHB Mayborn Campus Center Info: 254.939.0705 PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 46 Belton, TX 76513 4th of July Parade Application sponsored by: Thursday, July 4, 2012 10 a.m. Broadcast live by KCEN on Channel 6.2