Parade Entry Rules & Safety Standards | Fredericksburg Chamber

The Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce invites you to participate in the 2024 Light the Night Christmas Parade, proudly presented by

H-E-B, on Friday, December 6, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. We are pleased to announce that the first 30-minutes of the parade will be live televised by CBS Austin. The parade will also be livestreamed with narration, in its entirety, on the station’s website.

The Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce, organizers of the Light The Night Christmas Parade, Fredericksburg Police Department and the parade’s insurance agency require you to follow these rules and safety standards.

GENERAL ENTRY RULES

This is a forward-moving parade. There is no stopping for performances, revving engines or other action that alters parade movement. Care should be given to maintaining a spacing of 2-3 car lengths to avoid gaps.
All parade entries must showcase a family-friendly holiday theme.
No Santa or Ms. Claus characters, other than the Chamber’s official Santa Float, are allowed.
Campaign slogans, political ideology or issues-based messaging are prohibited on all parade entries as they do not align with the spirit and theme of the Light The Night Christmas Parade.
The Parade Committee retains the right to refuse entry of any floats, units or individuals not conforming to the standards of the Light The Night Christmas Parade. Offensive signage, apparel or décor on any entry or offensive or inappropriate language or behavior by drivers/riders of an entry are grounds for refusal of entry, removal from line-up and banned entry in future parades.
No rollerblades, skateboards or water guns will be allowed.
No walking entries, other than color guards and marching bands or pre-approved safety marshals are allowed.
Each moving vehicle must be driven by an age 21+ adult with a valid driver’s license for the class of vehicle(s) they will be operating and valid insurance coverage for the vehicle(s) they operate.
NO articles whatsoever (gum, candy, flyers, etc) may be thrown, handed, or passed from any floats or vehicles. Violation of this rule may result in exclusion from future parades.
No music, sirens, air-horns, firing of re-enactment weapons, or other noises that exceed 85 decibels without prior approval from the City of Fredericksburg.
Respect and obey instructions by all parade staff, volunteers, marshals and law enforcement members working the parade.

JUDGING

Entries must be ready, with lights on and riders in place, by 5:30 p.m. to be considered by the parade judges.
Entrants will be judged on use of light, originality and depiction of theme, friendliness of riders/volunteers and overall visual appeal.
Ribbons for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place will be given in each division. We thank Laughlin Homes + Restoration as our 2024 Light The Night Christmas Parade Award Sponsor.

LIGHTING & ELECTRICAL

All entries must have abundant colored or white lighting. Unlit entries will not be allowed into the parade line-up.
Only UL approved wiring, lights and batteries may be used. LEDs, neon, spotlights and glow products are also acceptable.
The number of lighting strings attached end-to-end should not exceed the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Portable generators used on the float must be securely mounted. A minimum of 12 inches clearance must separate any part of the generator from decorative materials.
Wiring should be performed by a licensed electrician.
Electrical wires and devices must be of sufficient gauge for the use intended. Wiring must be properly secured to the float to avoid mechanical damage and injury to float riders.

FLOATS, VEHICLES AND DRIVERS

Float beds must be sturdy and capable of carrying the weight to be imposed.
Vintage auto and equipment entries are limited to four vehicles each.
Decorated floats/vehicles should carry a current dated 2A10BC fire extinguisher; and drivers and float personnel should be aware of its location and proper usage.
Float and vehicle riders should be secure on the vehicle with handholds, rails or chairs.
All decorations must be flame-retardant.
Smoking on or near any floats at any time is prohibited.
All vehicles and trailers much be properly registered and insured. Drivers of the vehicles in the parade must be at least 21 years of age and have a valid license for the class of vehicle they are driving. Drivers must also be experienced in driving that vehicle.
Drivers may not consume alcohol, use a cell phone or engage in distracting behaviors while operating the vehicle.
All vehicles must be properly serviced and in good mechanical condition (brakes, transmission, etc.).
All vehicle operators participating in the parade must exercise good judgement and maintain a slow and reasonable speed based on the size of the vehicle and weather conditions.
Test your generator and fill your gas tank prior to the parade. No fuel, other than in the vehicle’s fuel tank, may be carried on the entry.
Check the float hitch to ensure it is secure.
Make sure your vehicle driver has clear vision on all sides with no obstructions.
All vehicle exhaust systems must be clear of any decorative materials and properly ventilated.
All floats and decorated vehicles are subject to a safety inspection.
Once an entry is in position in the staging area, a driver or representative must attend the entry at all times.
Parade Organizers reserve the right to remove any person or entry from the pre-parade staging area or the parade route that, in the parade organizer’s opinion, is offensive, a hindrance to the progress of the parade, places other participants or spectators in physical danger or violates any guidelines or safety standards presented in the entry application, in this packet or in any written/verbal communication.
ALL ENTRY DRIVERS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND A SHORT PARADE RULES & SAFETY BRIEFING AT 5:45 P.M. ON THE DAY OF THE PARADE AT THE GAZEBO LOCATED BEHIND PIONEER MEMORIAL LIBRARY.

FLOAT SIZE

Stabilized props on any entry are not to exceed 13’6” in height (from the ground).
The route of the Light The Night Christmas Parade includes a U-turn on Main Street at the intersection of Washington Street. Entries must be able to navigate the U-turn in one motion (no backing up).
Floats must be a minimum of 8 inches ground clearance from the frame. Nothing can drag on the roadway from the float. Proper clearance of materials from around the wheels of the vehicles must be incorporated to avoid materials being caught in them.

ENTRY RIDERS AND PARTICIPANTS

It is the responsibility of the entry’s designated representative to share and communicate all parade rules and safety standards with all riders and volunteers.
Adult supervision is required for all children under the age of 12, with one adult recommended for every ten children.
Consumption of alcoholic beverages by entry drivers, riders or volunteers in the staging area and on the parade route is prohibited.
At the end of the route (Main & Bowie Streets), all entries must turn left onto Bowie Street. Entries with riders are required to return to the pre-parade staging area, by turning left on San Antonio Street and left on Crockett Street to off-load. We have placed additional lighting behind the Pioneer Memorial Library in the staging area for your convenience. This requirement will be enforced by the Fredericksburg Police Department.
Off-loading riders at any location other than the staging area described above is strictly prohibited.

ANIMAL ENTRIES

Equestrian groups will be limited to six horses per entry.
All animal handlers must always have control of their animal.
Animals participating in the parade must be acclimated to large crowds and loud noise.
All animal entries much provide their own “clean-up” crew to follow their unit in the parade.
Any animal deemed unsafe by parade organizers or law enforcement will be removed from the staging area or parade route.
Equestrian riders must be at least 12 years of age, have parental or guardian consent and be accompanied by an adult rider/trainer.
Animal entries of any kind will be subject to review for approval.

ENTRY APPLICATION

Entries will be received electronically, using a link that shall appear on the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce website – www.fredericksburg-texas.com.
By completing and submitting the parade entry application, you are attesting that you have read and will comply with all parade rules and safety standards.
The parade entry application serves as a waiver of release of liability against the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce, Inc., and all parade staff and volunteers. By electronically submitting the parade application form, you are thus signing and agreeing to the terms therein for all participants in your organization or entry group.
The maximum number of entries that can be accommodated with the available staging space and manpower is 160. Entries will be accepted until November 22, 2024 or the maximum number of entries is received, whichever comes first.
The Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce and parade staff reserves the right to reject any entry application at any time with all decisions being final.
If, for some unforeseen reason, your entry is unable to participate in the parade, you must contact the parade staff, prior to the parade date.

ENTRY CONFIRMATION & LINE-UP INSTRUCTIONS

You are required to assign a designated representative for your entry on the parade entry application and supply a valid email address and cell phone number for this person.
Confirmation of all entries will be emailed to your designated representative within two weeks of receipt of the entry.
Final parade details and line-up instructions will be emailed to your designated representative no later than Friday, November 29.
If your entry is selected for the televised portion of the parade, your email will include a line-up number and Order of March. You will have an assigned location that corresponds to your line-up number in the staging area. Our volunteers will assist you with line-up upon arrival.
If your entry is NOT selected for the televised portion of the parade, you will be assigned your line-up location by our volunteers upon arrival at the staging area.

Parade line-up will begin at 3 p.m. All entries selected for the televised portion of the parade must arrive by 4 p.m. Failure to arrive on time will result in forfeiture of your place in the televised line-up.
All other entries must arrive by 4:30 p.m.
Non-entry vehicles are NOT allowed in the staging area. “Drop-off” of riders in the staging area is prohibited.

Portable restrooms and hand-washing stations are available in the staging area.

The starting location & staging area will be on South Crockett, Nimitz Parkway and West San Antonio Streets, please enter the area eastbound on San Antonio Street.

PARADE POSTPONEMENT

In the unlikely event the parade must be postponed, due to inclement weather or a significant public safety risk, it will be rescheduled for Friday, December 13, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. Notifications for such an event will be sent by email and/or text message to each entry’s designated representative.

PARADE QUESTIONS?

Please direct all parade questions to Penny C. McBride, Parade Coordinator, at penny@fbgtxchamber.org.

COMPLETE YOUR ENTRY FORM ONLINE AT