River Falls Days Parade

We are #82 in the Lineup and will be joined by Eric Hovde, (we are right after Zimmerman and Stafsholt, and right before Options for Women)

Lineup will begin at 4:30 PM, and the parade begins at 6:00 PM.

We welcome all RPSCC members and supporters to walk with us! If you are unable to participate but would still like to contribute, candy donations are appreciated.

Please RSVP here –> https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4DADAE29A7F9C25-49500131-2024#/

STAGING

When approaching the lineup area:

1. Come into town on N Main Street, Turn left onto Quarry Road (the stoplight by Kwik Trip).

2. Follow Quarry Rd to Benson Street, where you will be directed to take a right and follow volunteer instructions to your line up position.

END OF THE PARADE

1. When you get to the end of the parade, do not unload until you turn off into a side street. Only Marching Bands are permitted to unload in the UWRF North Lot.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

1. For everyone’s safety: Candy must be passed out. PLEASE DO NOT THROW CANDY INTO CROWDS.

2. Bring plenty of water!

3. Waivers are needed for each participant. Hard copies available on site

if needed.



THEME

Shimmer & Shine – A Golden Celebration

Incorporate gold décor, glitter, sparkling decorations or feel free to play on the word “Gold”!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Chamber office.

Contact: Megan Hausch

River Falls Chamber of Commerce

215 W Maple Street

River Falls, WI 54022

Email: megan@rfchamber.com

www.rfchamber.com

715-425-2533

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PARADE POLICY

Thank you for applying for participation in the River Falls Days parade. In an effort to make this a pleasant and safe experience for everyone, all participants must read this Policy and agree to abide by it. One representative from your parade unit is required to sign the Parade Policy Acknowledgement and Agreement which appears at the bottom of the Parade Registration Form (page 2).

All participants, including unit drivers, float personnel, members of novelty units, and riders and drivers of horse units must complete and submit the Release, Indemnification, and Hold Harmless Agreement (page 5) to the Chamber prior to July 1. Applicants are responsible for making copies of the form for each participant.

STAGING AREA

• Arrival Time: A final parade email will be sent to the contact listed on the parade form 1-2 days prior to the parade. You must arrive at the staging area at the time specified in that email. Late arrivals will be denied participation and parade entry fees will not be refunded.

• Traffic: Please be aware that there will be motorized traffic and foot traffic within the same areas. Motorized vehicles should maintain a very low rate of speed and use extreme caution when navigating the staging area. Please take proper safety precautions to keep this area safe for everyone.

PARADE ROUTE

• Distance Requirements: Unless safety is an issue, you must maintain a distance of no more than one-half block between you and the parade unit in front of you. If the parade unit in front of you is a school marching band, you may maintain a distance of up to one full block.

• Judging Area Requirement: If you are immediately behind a school marching band, you may not proceed into the Judging Area until the marching band has completely exited the area. The Judging Area begins approximately one block before the Review Stand at Second and Elm Streets, and extends approximately one block past it. The Judging Area will be marked.

• Marching Band Performance Stops: Bands are the only parade units allowed to make brief performance stops throughout the parade route, not just in the Judging Area. Once each performance has ended, they briefly march at a quicker pace in order to close the gap between them and the unit in front of them. Please make every effort to keep pace with marching bands as they close the gaps after each performance stop.

• Excessive Sound/Noise: Excessively loud horns/music are not allowed anywhere on the parade route. Should your horn, siren, music, etc. be deemed to be too loud at any point along the parade route, you may be asked to lower the volume. Please be considerate of parade spectators in choosing a noise volume. The Chamber reserves the right to remove units that do not make adjustments to sound if requested to do so by Parade Officials.

• Sound/Noise: If your parade unit will include a horn, siren, music, or amplified sound of any kind, you must include that information on your parade application. This is essential so that you can be placed in an area that will cause the least amount of disruption to school marching bands. IMPORTANT: If a school marching band is anywhere in the Judging Area, horns, sirens or loud sounds of any kind are strictly prohibited until the marching band has completely exited the Judging Area.

• Unit Length Requirements: The total, maximum length of your parade unit, including vehicles, walkers, floats, trailers, animals, etc. must not exceed 30 feet. All parade units will be limited to two motorized vehicles.

• Walkers: Since unit speed must be maintained, walkers must be able to keep up to motorized vehicles/floats. Distributing candy or other give-a-ways must be done in a manner that will not slow the pace of the parade.

o Candy or other give-a-ways must NOT be thrown from moving vehicles; they may only be handed out by walkers. Prohibiting the throwing of candy during a parade is a safety measure aimed at preventing injuries and ensuring the well-being of participants and spectators. Non-compliance may result in the removal of my unit and affect future parade participation.

• Water Restriction: You may use squirt guns, etc. throughout the parade and we ask that participants use their discretion when using them. Spraying water toward the reviewing stand is strictly prohibited, as it presents an electrical hazard.

MISCELLANEOUS:

• Candy or other give-a-ways must NOT be thrown from moving vehicles; they may only be handed out by walkers.

• Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in the staging area or along the parade route.

• All entries with livestock must have their own waste removal equipment immediately following their unit.

• All drivers of motorized vehicles must be at least 16 years of age and have a valid driver’s license. Motorized vehicles must have their own liability insurance to relieve the River Falls Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau from any liability.

• All Parade Officials and Police Reserves will be clearly identified.

• This Policy must be made available to all participants in your parade unit.

• All entry fees are non-refundable – no exceptions.

• Unregistered units will not be allowed to participate.

• The parade route will be the same as previous years. The route will go south on Main Street to Division Street, turn east onto Division traveling as far as Second Street. Merging south on Second Street, continue past the Judging stand on the west side of the road, to Spring Street. Turning east on Spring Street, parade units will be asked to keep moving on Spring Street or turning no sooner than Fourth Street. Staging area remains the same by entering East on Quarry off North Main Street.

• For safety reasons, all parade units are required to complete the entire parade route.

• Categories for judging are: “Best Use of Theme” “Best Visiting Royalty” “Best Music Unit” and “Judges’ Choice Award.” Judges decisions are final.

• Parade lineup will be emailed to parade participants 1-2 days prior to the parade.

We wish everyone a wonderful parade experience, but we do expect everyone to abide by the rules listed in this document. Not adhering to all rules may prohibit you from being a part of the future parades.

We look forward to seeing you at the parade!

River Falls Chamber of Commerce

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