Lincoln Christmas Parade

Entry Forms
All units in the 2018 10th Annual Lincoln Christmas Parade must complete an Entry Form and return it by Monday, November 26, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. to Lincoln Parks and Recreation.  
Parade Route
The parade will begin on Magnolia Street (Lincoln Veterinary Office) and will end at Magnolia Street and Randolph Park. Please avoid gaps when driving in the parade there should be sixteen feet between all floats, cars, etc. Again, bands remember do not stop and play during the parade, parade traffic should move at all times.
 
Safety
Candy and other items are not to be thrown during parade and parade route. Absolutely no one will be allowed to ride on the hood or roof tops of vehicles. The Lincoln Police, Fire and Rescue’s Officers will be over our traffic control; please make sure you adhere to their instructions.
 
Walkers
Walkers must be six years of age or older. Walkers must register with the parade officials and will line-up behind Jack's on Magnolia Street. There is to be No crossing back to beginning parade route due to Road and Hwy opening, and safety.
 
Convertibles / Cars
All convertibles will line up behind Jack’s. Signs for dignitaries and titleholders will be provided and will be placed on the cars. Drivers must register with Parade Line-Up Committee immediately upon arrival. No one may ride on the hood or roof tops of vehicles.
 
Bands
Bands will line up at the area behind Jack’s. Please have a representative present to check-in with the parade director. All Bands will line-up for parade by 5:30p.m.
 
Horses
ALL HORSES MUST BE ABLE TO ACCLAMATE TO PARADE CONDITIONS. Horses MAY NOT approach the crowd and be touched.  Horses will meet at 6:00p.m. on the grass area on Magnolia Street behind Waffle House on Hwy 77. DO NOT ARRIVE AFTER 6:15 P.M. Horse trailers are to be parked at England Park/Blue Eye Trail area after unloading at the designated area. Participants must check in with the Parade Committee Member. Horses must be decorated in Christmas decorations.  Horses will be judged individually, please refer to the Judging section for rules and regulations. Horse trailers must be parked at England/Blue Eye Trail. There is to be No crossing back to beginning parade route due to Hwy opening and safety.
 
Check-In
All units in the 2018 Lincoln Christmas Parade must check-in with the Parade line-up committee upon arrival at the check-in table. Each unit will be given an assigned number to be displayed for judging purposes.
 
Signs
Official signs will be provided for all units. Units may make their own signs but are asked to display the ones provided as well.
 
Floats
Float designers are required choose a Christmas song, movie, story and design your float around the theme. THERE WILL BE NO DUPLICATION OF THEMES.  Approval will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis. You will be notified if another entry has chosen the song first. NOTE: ALL FLOATS MUST BE READY FOR JUDGING WHEN THEY ARRIVE AT THE LINE-UP ­ NO EXCEPTIONS! Floats will enter on Hwy 77; a line-up committee volunteer will greet the driver with specific instructions.  Floats will line-up in two rows, pulling behind the float in front.  All floats and/or trucks will appear in the parade on a first-come, first-served basis. If your float needs adjustments or decorations it must be done before 5:30 p.m. time. Floats and/or trucks can only pull forward once they arrive at the line-up.  Drivers must check in with parade committee immediately upon arrival to the line-up.  FLOAT MUST BE IN PLACE BY 5:30 P.M. READY FOR JUDGING!
 
Decorating
Decorators/designers are asked to be as creative as possible.  Flat-bed trailers and sports utility trailers are allowed.  Other type units will be considered on an application basis.  No unit may be taller than 15 feet from ground to the highest point of your decorations.  Any unit arriving at the line-up whose content are in bad taste or offensive will be removed from the parade line-up.  ALL PARTICIPATING UNITS MUST HAVE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS ­NO EXCEPTIONS.  Remember, the vehicle pulling the float is also considered part of the unit.
 
SANTA CLAUS
Do not use a Santa on your float.  The “official Santa” will appear at the end of the parade.
 
Titleholders
Titleholders must ride in a convertible car.  No trucks, or any other type vehicle is appropriate.  No one may ride on the hood of a vehicle.  Small children will not ride on the roof of a vehicle.  Parade officials will strictly adhere to this rule and will turn away any vehicle that is not a convertible car.
 
Float Participants
Float participants must be dropped off at one of three places at the end of the parade: England Park/Blue Eye Trail; Old Towne Area; or at beginning of parade route. You are responsible for all participants on your float.  NO EXCEPTIONS! . There is to be No crossing back to beginning parade route due to Road and Hwy opening, and safety.
 
Weather Conditions
The Lincoln Christmas Parade will be held rain or shine. In case of severe inclement weather date is a TBA, due to many scheduling issues. Call 205-763-1006 for information on rescheduling.
 
Judging

Float Judging: Will begin at 5:45 p.m.; all floats must be ready for judging at that time with generators running, music playing, and lights on.  Floats arriving after 5:45 p.m. will be disqualified from judging.  If children or other people are to be considered as part of your judging, they must be in place at 5:15 p.m. and must remain in place until the judges have finished. Judging will be in seven categories: Overall First Impression, Creativity, Originality, Workmanship, Materials Used, Use of Theme, and does the float display the “Spirit of Christmas.”
Horse Judging: First, second, and third place awards will be presented to the most beautifully decorated horses and costumes of the riders.
Band Judging:  All bands will be judged and one award will be given the “Spirit of Christmas” award.

PLEASE NOTE: The judges will deduct points for the following:

• If your application has not been FILLED out by the original deadline date.
• If the float arrives late
• If your float is not ready for judging at 5:45 p.m.
• If your generator, lights, and music is not operating at 5:45p.m.  Once the judges have left your unit,           you may turn your generators off until 6:15 p.m.
• All horses must have holiday decorations

 
Awards
First Place Float Award
Second Place Award
Third Place Float Award
Horse Awards (1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd)
 
Thursday, November 29^th; PARADE DAY SCHEDULE
 3:30 p.m.        Close Street behind Waffle House
 3:30 p.m.        Floats begin arriving (road behind Waffle House)
 5:30 p.m.        All floats in line and ready for judging
 5:45 p.m.        Judging Begins
 5:30 p.m.        Bands arrive
 5:30 p.m.        Convertibles can begin arriving
 5:45 p.m.        Title Holders and Dignitaries
                         Grand Marshal(s)
 6:15 p.m.        Judging Complete
                        Horses Are Judged
                        Bands are lined up and ready to take their place
4:30 p.m.         Hwy 78 and Magnolia Street Closed
6:30 p.m.         Parade Begins

ENTRY FORMS