| Award Categories | 2016 Winner | Float # |
| OVERALL BEST in Parade | Bridge Street Buccaneers | #73 |
| OVERALL 2nd Place | Chatham Health & Swim Club | #61 |
| OVERALL 3rd Place | Woman of Fishing Families | #89 |
| Best Youth Float | Ken Owens Memorial Soccer Jamboree | #29 |
| Most Patriotic Float | .Phillips Family Farm | #1 |
| Best Small Float | Cobb Family | #85 |
| Best Large Float | Chatham Pottery | #101 |
| Best Civic Float | Chatham Turkey Trot | #64 |
| Funniest Float | Martha and Philip Hoffman | #80 |
2016 Parade Start Time is 09:30
The parade steps off at 09:30, starting at the corner f Shore Road and Main Street.
So come early to make sure you get a good seat…..
Parade entry deadline extended until June 17th 2016
Due to the number of people who still want to be in the parade this year we have extended the deadline for applications until June 17th.
2016 Nominations for the Grand Marshal is now closed
Thank you for your nominations.
These nominations are now under consideration and there will be an announcement in the coming weeks with the name of the person selected.
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.
- 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).
• Overall Best – 1st Place
• Overall Best – 2nd Place
• 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.
2016 parade applications are now open
Ready to submit an entry for a float in the 2016 Chatham Independence Day Parade? Then visit out entry submissions page at https://chathamparade.com/chatham-july-4th-parade-entry-submission/. It only takes a minute to get yourselves registered.
2016 Parade Theme – “Freedom is not Free”
The countdown is on! With a little less than 5 months to go, the Chatham Independence Day Parade Committee is proud to announce the 2016 theme for the Fourth of July Parade
“Freedom is not Free” Celebrating freedom by honoring Chatham’s independence throughout history.
After reviewing a list of varied and thoughtful suggestions, the “Freedom is not Free” theme was selected for its representation of Chatham’s culture, character and heritage. The selected theme was submitted by South Chatham summer resident, Kara Ann Smith. Kara and her family have been coming to Chatham since 1960.
Applications for parade participants will be available in early March. For up to date information, please visit the Chatham Parade page on Facebook or join the e-newsletter by sending an email to [email protected].
Need ideas on how best to start building a float? Then visit our page on how to build an award winning float and jump start your creativity.
Suggestions for the 2016 Chatham Fourth of July Parade Theme are now closed
Thank you to those who submitted their ideas for the 2016 Chatham Fourth of July Parade Theme. The suggestions are now being evaluated by the parade committee and the selected theme will be shortly announced.
2016 Parade will be Monday July 4th
Planning is underway so mark your calendars for next year’s Chatham 4th of July parade.
2015 Independence Day Parade Award Winners Announced
Congratulations to this year’s winners !
Award Categories 2015 Winner
OVERALL WINNER PHILLIPS FARM
Best Family Float Magner Family
Best Youth Float Power Squadron
Most Patriotic Float Cape Cod Beach Chair
Best Small Float Depot Dogs
Best Large Float Chatham Health Club
Best Civic Float Woman of Fishing Families
Funniest Float Pogo Dave
Photos of the winners can be found here