Participant Application Process
Participant Rules and Guidelines

PARTICIPANT APPLICATION PROCESS

The Comcast Oakland Holiday Parade is presented by Kaiser Permanente and the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the holiday season in Oakland and the greater Bay Area with a parade that provides quality entertainment for all to enjoy.

ENTRY SELECTION PROCESS:

• All parade participants are by invitation only and subject to approval by the Oakland Holiday Parade organizers.
  
  
• Participants are selected on their entertainment value, uniqueness, size, and appearance.
  
  
• All participants must portray the holidays, children’s, whimsical or parade theme with their entry.
  
  
• Units such as “everyday” type vehicles, groups of people walking, etc. will not be considered. The Oakland Holiday Parade will not be used as a platform for special interests.
  
  
• No participant may advocate, oppose or depict any political, religious or social issues.
  
  
• The Oakland Holiday Parade takes place, rain or shine. Only a significant act of nature will cancel the parade, of which all units would be notified. If, for some unforeseen reason, a unit is not able to participate in the parade after being accepted, a representative of the unit must contact the parade staff, in writing, a minimum of two weeks prior to the parade date. Participants that cancel within two weeks prior to the parade, without substantial reasons, will jeopardize receiving future applications. Entries absent on parade day without proper notification will not receive future applications.

ENTRY APPLICATION:

• The entry application must be completed and signed with the understanding of the general rules and guidelines.
  
  
• Not all applications will be selected for participation.
  
  
• The parade organizers reserve the right to reject any entry application or parade participant at any time without advance notice and all decisions are final.
  
  
• Entry forms that are improperly completed will be contacted for clarification.
  
  
• The application serves as a waiver of release for your organization. By signing the application, you are thus signing the waiver and agreeing to the terms therein.
  
  
• Any additions or changes to parade units after being accepted must be approved by the OTHP parade organizers

TYPES OF ENTRIES CONSIDERED:

• Marching Bands/Musical Units, Floats, Equestrians and Specialty Units (Drill/Dance Teams, Clowns, Balloons).
  
  
• Marching Bands/Musical Units; must appear in uniform and play music for the majority of the 1.0 mile parade route. Holiday music is appreciated, but not required. All bands will be judged in accordance to the Northern California Band Association rules and guidelines.
  
  
• Floats; applicants must follow the “Oakland Tribune Holiday Parade Float Participants Manual and Guidelines.” Studio Concepts of Portland, Oregon has been selected as the Premier Float Builder for the Oakland Tribune Holiday Parade. All commercial entries must utilize Studio Concepts unless a variance is obtained from the parade director.
  
  
• Specialty Units; must consist of a minimum of 10 members to be considered. Specialty Units requiring vehicles to carry sound systems must notify parade organizers on the application. All vehicles must be approved by parade organizers. If approved, vehicle MUST be decorated.
  
  
• Equestrian; entries must consist of three or more participants. The participants must have control of their animals at all times. Equestrian riders should be at least 10 years of age and accompanied by an adult trainer. Any animal deemed unsafe in the parade will be removed. All animal units must provide their own “clean-up” crew and equipment to follow their unit in the parade. Clean-up crew must be in costume.
  
  
• Vehicles; considered for entry must be antique or very unique. Vehicles such as “everyday” vans, tankers, farm machinery, tractor trailers, buses and other large vehicles are not accepted. Vehicles permitted in the parade will be restricted in numbers. No commercial or private vehicles are allowed in the parade without prior written approval by the parade staff. The blowing of sirens or vehicle horns in the parade is prohibited.

Application Forms

PARTICIPANT RULES AND GUIDELINES
(Please read the rules and guidelines carefully before signing application)

The rules and guidelines listed are for the safety and quality of the parade. Failure to abide by these rules and guidelines and those presented with the parade information package, may result in the unit removal from the parade and jeopardize future applications.

• Walking participants must be at least eight years old or older. There must be a least one adult escort for every six children under the age of 13 years.
  
  
• No participant, escort or staff with the unit will be allowed to march with or carry backpacks, push or carry infant strollers, carriers or , wagons.
  
  
• All participants, including unit members, escorts and staff MUST be in uniform, themed costumes, holiday dress or color coordinated attire.
  
  
• No Santa or Mrs. Claus Costumes are allowed. There is only one Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus in the Parade. Elf costumes and Santa hats are acceptable.
  
  
• All commercial entries or business recognition MUST be a sponsor of the parade.
  
  
• Entries are not allowed to display advertising of any trade, mercantile pursuit, article or merchandise or replica thereof, or a business occupation other than the name of the sponsor, shall be allowed in the Oakland Tribune Holiday Parade.
  
  
• Identification banners are encouraged for entries in the parade, however must be for entry identification purposes only. The listing of telephone numbers, addresses or statements on a banner or sign will not be allowed.
  
  
• No commercial signs are allowed on any floats, vehicles or marching participants other than that of a parade sponsor. Signs posted on vehicles, that are not parade sponsors, must be covered.
  
  
• All entries are required to maintain a continuous forward motion during the parade.
  
  
• Parade entries will follow instructions from Parade Marshals and Operations Staff.
  
  
• Parade participants are not allowed to distribute or toss candy, pamphlets or other materials along the parade route.
  
  
• Alcoholic beverages or controlled substances are forbidden on or along the parade route. This includes all staging and disband areas. Participants consuming such substances any time prior to or during the parade will be not be allowed to participate and removed from the line of march.

Application Forms