Special Parade Entry Application

The “Tis the Season Spectacular” parade is open to entries from all belief systems and welcomes a diversity of ideas that portrays the goodwill associated with the holiday season. Participants are expected to provide appropriate family entertainment without promoting special interests. The “Tis the Season Spectacular” committee will not consider incomplete applications and reserves the right to make all entry determinations based on the following: - reflects the intents and purposes of the Mission Statement - adheres to the stated rules/regulations - presents an attractive and cohesive appearance - adds to the parade’s overall entertainment value - promotes a family-friendly message 1. Entry deadline is Friday, November 13, 2026 at 5:00pm. A completed entry form and signed waiver of liability must be submitted by this date. Entrants must observe all application rules and regulations and follow instructions from parade officials or be barred from the parade. 2. Only groups, organizations and units who have submitted an application, who have received approval from the Parade Committee, and who have paid the entry fee of $100 as indicated on the application will be allowed to enter the parade. No entry fee for an approved entry will be refunded. Entry fees for non-approved entries will be refunded. 3. NO RAIN DATE WILL BE SCHEDULED, therefore the parade will be held “rain or shine”. 4. Line-up will begin at 12:00 in Spencer, NC; all units must be complete and parade ready prior to entering the parade marshaling area. The parade starts promptly at 2:00 in Spencer. 5. Spacing: Spacing between entries will be no more than 50 feet. This means once the parade starts your entry should be no more than 50 feet behind the one in front of you. 6. Professional Floats are available for $850. Those desiring to sponsor one of these floats are on a first come/first serve basis. Please call (704) 213-6929. A link with information about professional floats will be active in mid-September. 7. Non-professional floats: Homemade floats are especially encouraged and appreciated by spectators. A general sketch or description of any non-professional float must be included of the entry form. Any change of the entry, after it has been approved, must re-submit the changes to the committee prior to November 13, 2026. 8. Floats must be decorated at least 75% and portray a holiday theme. No advertising other than the organization’s name will be allowed. Floats may be drawn by motorized vehicle or pulled manually. 9. Standard automobiles: The type of standard automobiles (or trucks) allowed will be to transport beauty queens or elected officials. 10. Antique cars/classic or custom cars: any number may enter. However, the parade committee reserves the right to limit the total number of entries due to the length of the parade. NO “For Sale” signs may be placed on these cars, and no loud speaker systems may be used without permission from the parade committee. 11. All units will have an overall holiday theme. 12 . No entrant is permitted to have Santa or Mrs. Claus, or any resemblance of, as part of your float theme, group, or organization. 13. For the safety of others, OBJECTS MAY NOT BE THROWN INTO THE CROWD. Giveaways may be distributed person to person on sidewalks. 14. Possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited as is the discharge of firearms and fireworks. 15. Signage promoting political or social cause are not permitted. 16. Music: IMPORTANT: Participants using music as part of their entry must disclose that fact on the entry form or your music will not be allowed at the parade time. This information affects the line-up order. 17. All entries are required to participate in both the Spencer and the Salisbury phases of the parade. A 30 second performance by musical entries, dance groups, and bands will be permitted in front of the reviewing stand in Spencer and on the square in Salisbury. 18. All units are subject to a safety inspection check. Any unit, which is considered unsafe, must comply with instructions given by the parade committee to render it safe. 19. Adult supervision for all children under the age of 14 is required in the staging area and during the parade. Side railings are highly encouraged on flatbed vehicles with children onboard. 20. Signage is required to identify entries. Homemade signs are permitted. If you wish a professional sign, one can be provided for you for a small fee. Bands and marching units need identifying banners. 21. Live animals are permitted in the parade. Horses must be either fitted with a manure bag or the entrant must provide a pooper scooper to accompany the entry. Dogs riding on a float must be on a leash. 22. Floats must be dismantled in the designated areas posted by the parade committee. The parade will end at Stallings Baptist Church. 23. Only firetrucks representing the cities of Salisbury and Spencer are allowed in the parade. No public transportation vehicles, i.e. city busses, are allowed to enter. 24. Any accredited high school or local college, with a participating marching band, may enter seven additional units at no charge. Any additional entries will be charged $100/entry. 25. Problems or questions which may occur will be resolved by the parade committee. The decision of the parade committee is final in all instances. 26. The parade will end at Stallings Baptist Church. All participants will make arrangements for the dismantling of entries and the pick-up of entrants.

The information above is sourced from the official Rules and Regulations

In addition to the acknowledgement of the “Tis the Season Spectacular” parade rules and regulations, Parade entrants agree to be solely responsible for any and all property loss or personal injury or any other claim or demand for damages of any kind as the result of or arising out of participation in the “Tis the Season Spectacular” parade. Participants agree to hold harmless the organization its members, sponsors, volunteers and its members for any personal injury or property damage either before, during, or after the conclusion of the parade. All parade participants acknowledge that they are assuming the risk for any and all damages that may occur to their person or property of whatever kind and they all minors and animals will be properly supervised before, during and after the “Tis the Season” event.

The information above is sourced from the official Release Statement