Parade

LET’S HAVE A PARADE!

Lincoln Days Parade (October 4th at 2:00 P.M.)

Rain or shine one can count on the Lincoln Days Festival parade. It is true, the parade commences promptly at 2:00 P.M. on the Saturday of the festival and neither 2.5 inches of rain or the bite of freezing temperatures (when the festival was a February happening) has been able to cancel the event.

When one hears the sound of the cannon on North Lincoln Boulevard and until you see the sheriff’s escort (caboose), one’s eyes and ears are treated to a first class parade. Marching bands, Lincoln presenters (too many to count), floats, beauty queens, elected officials, antique cars and tractors. There is more, walking units, grand marshal, class reunions, horses, fire engines.

The parade sometimes has its surprises. It could be a C-130 fly over (always keep an eye on the sky). One may see a general, governor or congressman or someone who wants to be.

The biggest surprise is the number of spectators who view the parade. They make all the hard work worth while. Think about it. Who does not like a parade?

The Lincoln Day Parade will begin at 2pm sharp on Saturday, October 4th and is a big hit with young and old alike. Below you will find general rules, a release form and application.

PARADE RULES AND INFORMATION
The following rules and information apply to all participants in the Lincoln Days Parade. No person is permitted to participate in the Lincoln Days Parade unless they are willing to follow and be bound by these rules and accompanying information. Lincoln Days Celebration, Inc. ("Lincoln Days") requires all participants in Lincoln Days activities to sign a general release waiving liability against Lincoln Days Celebration, Inc. and its officers. No person may participate in the parade unless they have signed the release; a parent or legal guardian has signed the release on their behalf; or They are participating as part of a group (e.g. a school band, social organization, church or business) and such group has authorized an individual to sign a release on the behalf of the entire group. In such cases, the authorizing individual must attach a list of names of participants to the back of the general release.

Registration. All units must be registered with the Lincoln Days Parade Committee in order to participate in the parade. All registrations must be received prior to 12:30 P.M. (accompanied by a signed release) on the day of the parade. There will be no exceptions. Individuals, units, and groups desirous of participation may register by one of the following methods:

Mail. The Parade Committee welcomes applications sent in by mail. To obtain an application, please click here.

Drop-off. You may drop-off your application at the Lincoln Days office. Parade Headquarters. You may register at the parade headquarters on the day of the parade during the hours of 9:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. Registrations entered at the parade headquarters will not be entered into the official march order, but will be added to the end of the march order. That is, registrations received on the day of the parade will be added to the back of the parade.

Online. You may register online. Applications must include a phone number and name for the contact person. No application will be accepted that is not properly, and accurately completed. All required information must be given.

Check-in. All units must check-in at parade headquarters by 12:30 P.M. on the day of the parade. Check-in is required so that the parade committee may verify that all required information has been submitted and/or collected, provide you with any necessary last minute instructions or changes, provide you with line-up instructions, and give you your march order assignment. All floats for judging must be checked-in and in the staging area by 10:30 A.M. Judging will be between 11:00 A.M. and 1:00 P.M.

Nothing is to be thrown from parade units, including candy. Walkers with a float entry, must not approach float while under way. Violations of this rule may result in the immediate withdrawal of a unit from the parade and a life-time ban from future participation. This rule is a safety rule.

Following safe procedures, please secure all persons on floats: children are to be accompanied by adults and do not pick up riders while enroute. Walking units, autos, tractors, etc. must be in the staging area at their assigned location no later than 1:00 P.M.

ALL DRIVERS MUST BE 16 YEARS OF AGE AND POSSES A VALID DRIVER'S LICENSE. NO EXCEPTIONS!

One seat/one person rule will hold true. All automobiles must be able to provide proof of insurance.
Identity of participants must be recognizable. Hoods and masks are prohibited unless a special exemption is given by the parade chairman.

All automobiles must be at least 25 model-years or older unless specifically invited to participate by the parade committee or they are convertibles being used to transport dignitaries.

Any questions or judgments should be directed to the parade chairman and the chairman's ruling shall be final. The chairman shall have the authority to make any changes or exceptions to these rules at any time he believes such changes or exceptions will promote safety or better facilitate the conduct of a successful parade.

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE PARADE RULES CAN RESULT IN IMMEDIATE EXPULSION FROM THE PARADE.