Essential entrant information for the 2016 parade

You can complete your parade entry submission online here at https://chathamparade.com/chatham-july-4th-parade-entry-submission/. If your submission is done correctly web site will display a confirmation message and you will get an email from [email protected].

NOTE: SUBMISSIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY JUNE 3RD 2016!!!!

Rules for Participation – These rules are for the safety of everyone. Not following these rules could jeopardize your participation in the parade and future parades, with the decision of the Chatham Independence Day Parade Committee being final.

  • No float apparatus or act can exceed 14 feet height from street level and width must not exceed 8 feet.
  • All floats and displays must be free from images reflecting cruelty, denigration or abuse to persons or groups, because of race, creed, gender or economic status.
  • Emergency vehicles must be given right of way at all times.
  • Entrants must abide by all laws of the land.
  • Participants must remain grouped within parade boundaries or as directed by Police or Parade Monitors. If the parade stops, participant groups must remain together. Unauthorized stops along the parade route are not permitted. It is essential to keep pace throughout the parade for the best experience for the spectators and the other entrants.
  • Drinking alcoholic beverages is prohibited while in line before start of parade and during parade.
Throwing anything to the crowd from floats, trucks and cars, including candy is strictly prohibited. This creates a potential dangerous situation with implication of safety and injury.

Logistics  – Entrants’ position number in the parade will be assigned by June 26th , and will be listed on the Independence Day Parade Committee website and appear in the June 30th issue of the Chronicle.

On July 1st and 2nd, entrants may pre-register and pick up their position number flags at the Chatham Police Department at 249 George Ryder Road.

Pre Check In JULY 1 – 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Pre Check In JULY 2 – 9:00am – 1:00pm

On parade day, entrants must check in and receive their position number from a Parade Monitor stationed on Shore Road near the Chatham Town Fish Pier on July 4th. All entrants must be registered and checked in at the staging area on Shore Road no later than their designated time —

Entry #1 through #33 check in between 7:00am – 7:30am

      • Entry #34 through #65 check in between 7:30am – 8:00am
      • Entries #66 and up check in between 8:00am – 8:30am
      • All registration must be completed by 8:30am

Entrants will then proceed to their numbered stake on Shore Road.Position number must be displayed on the left side of the entry.

For those wishing to park at the Monomoy Regional Middle School shuttle bus will take you to Shore Road. This shuttle will run starting at 7AM.

The parade begins at 9:30am at the intersection of Shore Road and Main Street, and finishes at the intersection of Crowell Road and Tip Cart Road. Please adhere to police instructions for exiting the parade area.

A shuttle will run from the end of the parade back to the Monomoy Regional Middle School.

Judging

  • To qualify for awards, the entry must be consistent with the theme.
  • All awards are determined solely at the discretion of the Judges.
  • Entries are viewed by Judges along the parade route. The Judges’ reviewing stand is located on the lawn of the First United Methodist Church at the intersection of Main Street and Cross Street. Please do not stop here and delay the parade.
  • Your entry may win more than one award.
  • The entrant position numbers which you will receive at registration on parade day, are to be placed on left hand side of the entry (so that they will face the judges stand).

Award Categories

• Overall Best – 1st Place
• Overall Best – 2nd PlaceWinnersCup
• Overall Best – 3rd Place
• Most Patriotic
• Funniest
• Best Small Float (under 20 feet)
• Best Large Float (over 20 feet)
• Best Civic Organization/Non-Profit
• Best Youth (participants under 18 years old)

The Overall Best – First Place Winner – will be recognized by an engraved brass plaque on the Chatham Parade Trophy displayed at Town Hall.

All of the category award winners will receive a custom-designed engraved plaque which will be presented at an awards ceremony during the next Board of Selectmen meeting scheduled after July 4th.