STEP ONE - Provide your contact and event information

In the 'Entry Information' field below, please provide a brief description (100 words or less) of your organization to be read by our parade broadcaster. Content subject to editing.

STEP TWO - Organizational Registration Fees

STEP THREE - Additional parade entry fees

Each float is $35
This includes the vehicle used to pull the float. Please indicate the number of floats in the field below.

Each vehicle fee is $35 (If you paid for a float, one (1) vehicle is included. This fee is for additional vehicles in your entry that are not pulling a float). Includes cars, trucks, vans or buses. 

A single fee of $35 includes 1 to 15 motorcycles. If there are more than 15, there is an additional fee of $35, for a total of $70.

Change, duplication or cancellation fee

There will be a $25 administrative fee required for any changes, additions or deletion of duplicate applications. Please make sure there is ONLY a single application per Organization, and that there is ONLY a single contact per Organization to avoid this charge.

STEP FOUR - Rules and regulations

The MLK Holiday Parade is organized, operated and produced the MLK Holiday Committee. The City of Charlotte is not responsible or liable for any part or operation of the MLK Holiday Parade.

The MLK Holiday Committee and the City of Charlotte have a number of guidelines, rules, and regulations that all participants must follow as listed below.

All parade applicants must agree to the following rules and regulations:

1. Mandatory Parade meeting:
All organizations participating in the parade are required to have at least one representative at the mandatory parade meeting held on: 

Saturday, January 7, 2017
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. noon
700 Parkwood Ave, Charlotte, NC. 

Please check the box below.

Additional rules and regulations. Please read and acknowledge by selecting the check box below the rules. 

Parade Monitors
 Each Entry must have Monitors to serve as points of contact between the Parade Staff and your group. Monitors are to walk on each side of the vehicle, motorcycles, or float to ensure safety and alert the driver(s) of any potential problems. Follow all instructions from the Parade Staff. Failure to follow instructions and directions from the Parade Staff will subject your party to removal/dismissal and you will be prohibited from participation in future MLK Holiday Parades. 

Distribution of Items
Absolutely nothing can be thrown from vehicles or floats. Parade Entries wishing to distribute gifts, merchandise, literature, or other items along the line of march must have adequate personnel to hand the items to spectators individually and must have written permission of the MLK Holiday Parade Committee.

Insurance
All vehicles must have appropriate insurance coverage. The MLK Holiday Parade Committee and the City of Charlotte are not responsible for any accidents or injuries that are due to motor vehicles, motorcycles, or floats. Proof of insurance and a valid driver’s license for all vehicle drivers must be presented to Parade Staff upon check–in.

No Third Party Sponsorships
Each Entry affirms that only the organization/group named in the Parade Application will be the organization/group participating on the day of the Parade.  Each Entry affirms that it is not sponsored by or will not display any sponsors’ or advertisers’ logos, advertisements, trademarks, products, or promotional materials without prior written approval of The MLK Holiday Parade Committee.

Signs/Banners/Logos
Each Entry affirms that only the organization/group named in the Parade Application Form will be the organization/group participating on the day of the parade and no other organization or entity be promoted on a banner/sign/logo without written permission form The MLK Holiday Parade Committee.

Vehicles/Floats/Motorcycles

• Floats cannot exceed 13 feet in height or 16 feet in width. Maximum length of the unit, including towing vehicle cannot exceed 55 feet.
• All floats must be self-propelled or towed by towing units approved by the parade committee.
• Drivers of motorcycles/cars/vehicles/floats in the parade must maintain forward motion unless instructed otherwise by parade officials.
• No articles of any kind may be thrown from any vehicle or other parade entry, walking or not.
• No one may enter or exit the float once the float is in motion on the parade route.
• Trailers must be towed by an accompanying vehicle and have a turning radius of not less than 90º.
• A fire extinguisher must be on board each float/vehicle.
• All sound systems must be self-powered and must meet city codes for amplification standards.
• Names of the sponsoring business or organization should appear on the float for judging.
• Each organization must provide applicable proof of insurance for each float/vehicle entered.
• Failure to comply with these standards will result in the disqualification of the float and possible removal from the parade.
• All motorcycle riders must wear a helmet.

Animal Units
All Parade Entries planning to have animals, large or small, as a part of their entry must receive written approval from The MLK Holiday Parade Committee prior to the parade. All Parade Entries with animals are responsible for cleaning up after their animals in the assembly area, along the parade route and properly disposed of all waste as per City of Charlotte ordinances and common courtesy. 

Solicitation of Money along the Parade Route
Parade participants are prohibited from solicitation of funds along the parade route.

Parade Line Up & Order
Placement and order of Parade Entries are at the sole discretion of The MLK Holiday Parade Committee.

Any registered parade entry (group, band, organization, vehicles, floats, etc.) not lined up in their assigned area will be placed in the back of the parade procession.

All deadlines will be firm and without exceptions, this includes Elected Officials and Official Sponsors.

City Ordinances & Laws
The Charlotte Police Department, who will be present and managing security, traffic and crowd control along the Parade route, are responsible for enforcing all applicable state laws and local ordinances during all Charlotte Pride events. Such statutes may include, but are not limited to public decency, alcohol, controlled substances, public safety, and standard vehicle insurance requirements. No alcoholic beverages and/or consumption is permitted along the Parade route by Parade Entries, participants, or spectators.

All entries must sign release and indemnity statement agreeing to indemnify the MLK Holiday Parade Committee and its directors, employees and/or volunteers and the City of Charlotte and hold them harmless with respect to all action or incidents arising out of the participant’s involvement with or in the MLK Holiday Parade or other related activities.

Disclaimer
The MLK Holiday Parade Committee reserves the right, at its sole discretion to remove any and all individuals, groups, vehicles, floats, motorcycles or participants of any kind from entering or continuing along the Parade route for any reason, including but not limited to safety, perceived condition, failure to comply with Parade Staff instructions, any action(s) that may cause a delay in the Parade, and/or any violation of the rules and regulations set out in this document.

By completing and submitting the application below, you agree to the following:
 

I grant to City of Charlotte MLK Parade all right, title and interest in and to all likenesses, whether visual and/or audio, including without limitation, photographs, videotape, film and other recordings, electronic or optical-based
media, or any other form or medium whatsoever, whether now or hereafter existing, and of every kind and character (collectively “Photos”) which may be made or taken of me and any above listed minors in or about the event connection with any City of Charlotte MLK Parade and to identify and use my name in connection with any use of the Photos. I understand and agree that City of Charlotte MLK Parade or its assigns will be the owner of any and all right, title and interest in and to the Photos, in any derivative works, and in any advertising and promotional materials related thereto.

I hereby release City of Charlotte MLK Parade and its agents, assigns and representatives from any and all claims, demands or causes of action that I might now or hereafter have for libel; defamation; invasion of privacy; right of publicity; infringement of copyright, trademark or moral rights; or violation of any other right arising out of or relating to any utilization of the rights granted under this Agreement.