2014 Ocala/Marion County Christmas Parade Motorized Unit Application

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FRIENDS OF THE CHRISTMAS PARADE, INC. PRESENT THE
OCALA/MARION COUNTY CHRISTMAS PARADE

SATURDAY, December 13, 2014
Parade begins promptly at 5:30 p.m.

THEME: Home for the Holidays!

Application deadline is Wednesday, October 15
th
, 2014 at 5PM!

Thank you for your interest in the Ocala/Marion County Christmas. This packet includes the 2014
application and rules. Please read through this ENTIRE packet carefully before submitting. Completed
applications and general questions should be directed to the address and numbers listed below.

So that the Christmas Parade is an entertaining holiday event and lasts no longer than 2 hours, a pre-determined
number of applications will be selected for each parade group as follows: 50 float units, 15 band units, 15 horse
Units, 10 marching units and 20 motorized units with a maximum of 110 parade units. The parade committee will
review and select applications one week after deadline. Selection criteria will be based upon the following:

1. Entertainment/show value of unit 2. Diversity within category 3. Completeness of application

Applicants must provide unit drawings, action photos or video that represents your entry. All Christmas
music must be submitted in advance to be reviewed by the parade committee and will be exclusive music
to be used throughout the parade route. Submitted materials will not be returned.

THE 2014 ENTRY FEE WILL BE $75.00 FOR ALL FLOATS, MOTORIZED,
HORSE/ANIMAL, MARCHING AND OUT OF COUNTY BANDS. THERE IS A LIMIT
OF 3 ENTRIES FOR EACH GROUP. No entry fee is charged for government or Marion
County Public School units. THESE ARE THE ONLY EXCEPTIONS!

PLEASE WRITE LEGIBLY! THE ADDRESS PROVIDED WILL BE WHERE YOUR ACCEPTANCE
PACKAGE WILL BE SENT SHOULD YOUR APPLICATION BE APPROVED!

A SEPARATE APPLICATION AND ENTRY FEE IS REQUIRED FOR EACH DIFFERENT PARADE CLASSIFICATION

FOR QUESTIONS, COMMENTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION CALL (352) 897-0198,
FAX AT (352) 237-2040, EMAIL AT [email protected] OR SEE THE HOME PAGE
OF OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.OCALAMARIONCHRISTMASPARADE.COM

NAME OF ENTRY:
CONTACT PERSON: TITLE:
ADDRESS: CITY/ZIP:
PHONE WORK: ( ) - CELL: ( ) - HOME: ( ) -
BEST TIME TO CONTACT: EMAIL:
CIRCLE ONE: BAND FLOAT HORSE/ANIMAL MARCHING MOTORIZED
DELIVER TO:
We are only accepting mailed in
applications at this time. Please
submit apps to mail to address.
MAIL TO:
Friends of the Christmas Parade
5184 SE 20th St.
Ocala, FL 34480
PARADE CONTACTS FOR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ON UNITS:
Band Coordinator Gary Smith 352-629-7936 [email protected]
Float Coordinator Jim Hilty 352-351-9482 [email protected]
Horse Coordinator Jo Harris 352-732-3828 [email protected]
Marching Coordinator Kathy ONeal 352-368-1800 [email protected]

FOTCP President Sue Mosley 352-427-9898 [email protected]
2014 Ocala/Marion County Christmas Parade Motorized Unit Application

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DESCRIPTION OF UNIT

A complete description of unit in detail including size, number of persons and animals, either marching or riding, is
necessary for application approval. This will be used for the commentary to be used on television to introduce and
describe your unit. Completion of this information in no way guarantees it will be used on television.

NAME OF UNIT:

Description of unit:








MOTORIZED UNIT INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES

MOTORIZED UNIT NAME:
# OF VEHICLES (Max of 8): # OF RIDERS IN VEHICLES*:
DESCRIBE TYPE OF VEHICLE/DECORATIONS:

MUSIC**? (Please see below guidelines on music.) YES NO
NEW RULE: Motorized Units must submit a listing and picture of
EVERY VEHI CLE that will be in the Parade. NO EXCEPTI ONS!
*All riders under 5 years of age must be properly restrained and accompanied by parent or guardian. Children
under 3 years must be secured in a separate carrier or vehicle child safety seat. For children 4 through 5 years, a
separate carrier, safety seat or safety belt may be used. These are the State of Florida DOT rules on a state road
or highway.

**Music played in motorized units must be traditional holiday/Christmas music. All music must be submitted in
advance with your application to be reviewed by the parade committee. This music must be used throughout the
entire parade route. Submitted materials will not be returned.

NO excessive horn or siren blowing is allowed by vehicle drivers of any unit!

Walkers with any motorized unit will be a maximum of 2 carrying the unit banner and must be 8 years of age or
older. No other walkers will be allowed.

Riders in motorized units must wear appropriate attire.

No rider will be dressed as Santa Claus including Santa Hats.

All vehicles, drivers, riders and walkers must be in correct lineup spot in staging by 3 p.m. If vehicles arrive
later, they will not be in the parade.

There is a speed limit of 5 mph for all units including motorcycles and law enforcement units.

No maneuvers will be allowed by any unit, including law enforcement!!!!!!
2014 Ocala/Marion County Christmas Parade Motorized Unit Application

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PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

The following does not apply to governmental or school units and no signature is needed.
All others must sign!

The Friends of the Christmas Parade, Inc. does not provide liability insurance for the protection of participants,
spectators, merchants, or others who participate in the annual Ocala/Marion County Christmas Parade. In
consideration of being permitted to participate in such activity, the participant does hereby release and forever
discharge Friends of the Christmas Parade, Inc., its officers, officials and employees and all members of officials of
Friends of the Christmas Parade, Inc. parade committee, the City of Ocala, its elected officials and employees,
together with the County of Marion, its elected officials and employees, jointly and severally against all claims,
suits, actions, and causes of action brought against them, including active negligence of the people that are hereby
released, and to indemnify and hold the same harmless from and against all actions, claims, demands, and liabilities,
loss damages and expense of whatever kind of nature, including attorney fees, any of which may, at any time, be
incurred by them or claimed against them by reason of my participating in this Christmas Parade.

I have read the application and rules and agree to abide with the terms of this application. In signing this
entry form, I do hereby release Friends of the Christmas Parade, Inc., its officers, employees and organizers
of this parade, the City of Ocala, its elected officials and employees, together with the County of Marion, its
elected officials and employees, from any damages or injuries sustained by reason of my units participation
in this parade. I also agree to distribute copies of this application to all participants in this parade unit.

Application not fully completed or that does not have all the information will not be considered for selection
and will be returned until the information is complete. A copy of the application and rules will be sent once
the selection process is made and approval given. Entries not accepted will have entry check/money returned.

REQUIREMENTS:
1. Completed and signed application by deadline of October 15
th
, 2014 at 5 P.M.
2. Entry fee of $75.00 for all entries. There is no fee for Marion County Public School sponsored units and
governmental units. These are the only exceptions!
3. Drawing of floats, action photos and/or video and music to be played.

PAYMENT INFORMATION:
By Check: Make all checks payable to Friends of the Christmas Parade, Inc.
Mail to: Friends of the Christmas Parade, Inc.
5184 SE 20th St.
Ocala, FL 34480
Credit Card: Credit Cards are now being accepted as payment. Please note that there is a small service charge for
using your credit card. If you wish you use your credit card, please fill out the below information.

NAME ON CARD: EXP:
CARD #: BILLING ZIP CODE:

If you have any more questions about this application or the Parade in general, please email
[email protected] or go to www.ocalamarionchristmasparade.com.


Blatant sound advertising or signage will not be allowed. Sponsor signs can be at the front
or rear of the unit and may be 18 x 36 or proportioned to the overall size of the unit.

The Friends of the Christmas Parade, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. A copy of the official
registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling
toll-free 800-435-7352 within the state. Registration does not apply endorsement, approval, or
recommendation by the State of Florida.
PRINT NAME: SIGNATURE:
NAME OF UNIT: DATE:
2014 Ocala/Marion County Christmas Parade Motorized Unit Application

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RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. All parade entries and participants are selected by the committee based on show and entertainment value
offering a diverse mix to the overall parade and theme. Selection criteria used is: (a) show and entertainment
value of unit, (b) diversity within parade group, and (c) Completeness of application. Understanding that a
parade is an entertainment medium, the contribution of each unit is critical. Artistic beauty, use of color,
animation, special effects, originality, rider personnel, marching/dancing skills, visual appearance and holiday
spirit are all considerations for selection by the committee. Costuming and decoration of all units is mandatory.
Because of this Total Show Concept, THIS PARADE IS NOT TO BE A PLATFORM FOR POLITICAL
CAMPAIGNS/ISSUES, BLATANT ADVERTISING OR TARGETED SPECIAL GROUPS.

2. All walking and marching parade participants must be a minimum of 8 years of age

3. Lineup position cannot be changed once assigned.

4. Parade units (especially floats) may arrive after 10 a.m. in the staging area for final decorating. Due to space
availability and safety for participants, there will be only one support vehicle allowed into the staging area for
each parade unit. Support vehicles must unload and proceed to provided parking area. All support vehicles
must leave staging area by 2:45 p.m.

5. No vehicles and/or riders are allowed to leave or be removed from any unit once the parade has started.

6. All units and participants must be in position for lineup and parade ready by 3 p.m. with the exception of
bands. Entrance to the McPherson complex is closed at 3 p.m. Caravan of buses, vans and horse trailers
begins out of the staging at 4:30 p.m. Lineup of parade units begins immediately after.

7. All buses, horse trailers, vans and their drivers must remain in the staging area and be ready by 4 p.m. when
instructions are given to proceed to the dispersal area by police escorted caravan. Drivers are to stay with
their vehicle in the dispersal and wait for their unit.

8. All audio, towing and motorized vehicles, with the exception of antique vehicles, must be decorated in the
holiday spirit.

9. No excessive horn blowing or sirens is allowed by any unit.

10. Any unit using sound must play traditional Christmas/holiday music only and it must be played for the
entire parade route. All music must be submitted in advance with your application to be reviewed by the
parade committee. This music must be used throughout the parade route. Submitted materials will not be
returned.

11. This is a moving parade. NO stopping to perform at any time during parade route, in front of the
reviewing stand or stopping for the addition or removal of persons or articles of clothing will be allowed.
Failure to comply could result in removal and/or non-acceptance in future parades. The costume attire of
marchers or walkers is to remain the same for the entire parade.

12. All vehicles in the unit must arrive with a vehicle pass, which has been issued to the unit coordinator. No one
will be admitted to the staging area and the parade itself without the pass. The distribution of these passes is the
responsibility of the person signing this application. Passes must be placed on the dashboard of the drivers side
window. Non-conformity will result in removal from the parade.

13. All unsafe or disabled units will be removed from the parade route and not allowed to re-enter.

14. Blatant sound advertising or signage will not be allowed. Sponsor signs may be at the front or rear of the
unit/float and may be 18 x 36 or proportioned to overall size of the unit.

15. No profanity, verbal or otherwise, by persons or on vehicles in the lineup area or on parade route, will be
tolerated


2014 Ocala/Marion County Christmas Parade Motorized Unit Application

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RULES AND REGULATIONS
(Continued)


16. During parade, units are to maintain a safe distance of at least 10 from each curb and 10 from the unit in front
of you. Vehicles must be in good mechanical and braking condition and must have an adequate supply of gas to
run engine before parade and the entire length of the parade route. Units are to maintain a safe speed of 5 mph
and will watch for the unit in front of and behind them to maintain a smooth flow. Motorized units will be lined
up 2 abreast and are required to maintain formation for the entire route.

17. There is a speed limit of 5 mph for all units including motorcycles and law enforcement units. No maneuvers
will be allowed by any unit, including law enforcement!

18. No persons are allowed to dress as Santa Claus in or on any unit or have an image of Santa other than
the official Santa float as designated by the parade committee.

19. Absolutely no candy, flyers or merchandise will be thrown or distributed along the parade route. Violation of
the rule may result into acceptance in future parades.

20. Any person who possesses or is under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be violating a City of Ocala
ordinance and will be removed from the lineup area and the parade itself. Ocala Police K-9 dogs will be
patrolling the lineup area for violators.

21. There will be no parade entry fee refunds after acceptance for any reason. The parade will be held rain or shine,
unless conditions deemed dangerous to participants are present.

22. Parade officials instructions in the staging area, on parade route, and in the dispersal area, must be followed.
The parade committee has the right to eliminate any unit from the parade if instructions are not followed or if
any unit is considered unsafe to proceed down the parade route.

23. The parade committee reserves the right to accept or reject any entry.

24. Parade rules as listed above have been developed for the safety and enjoyment of participants and spectators.
Any violations to parade rules will be written up by parade committee and will be taken into consideration upon
review and acceptance into parade for subsequent years.

25. Parade participants are required to clean trash and debris from their area prior to the beginning of the parade.

26. I understand that any rule violation by any member of this group may result in non-acceptance into subsequent
parades.

27. The parade committee reserves the right to pull a unit from the parade for any reason.