The Daffodil Festival
2008

PARADE RULES & REGULATIONS FOR ALL ENTRIES

Entries must observe all applicable rules and regulations or be barred from the parade.  The Daffodil Festival and the parade marshals reserve the right to remove from the parade, either prior to assembly, at assembly, or any time during the parade, any entrant not conforming to rules and regulations or any entrant refusing to follow instructions of police or parade officials. 

All entries must be approved by the Parade Director before entering the line of march and may be removed at the beginning of the parade or any time during line of march at the sole discretion of the Police or Parade Officials.  Entries may display a wide variety of design as long as they are in good taste.  Entrants should remember that a large part of the audience will be children.  All floats must meet ALL safety requirements of the Daffodil Festival and be inspected by Tacoma Fire Safety Officials. 

Your assembly area and assembly time to include specific directions will be sent to you in a separate letter or email if you are accepted to participate in the Daffodil Parade. 

No water is permitted in the parade area, in connection with floats or otherwise, except at the express written approval of the parade committee (example: waterfall on float.)   

No material may be handed out or thrown out along the line of march.  Distribution of gifts, or merchandise, literature or other material along the line of march is prohibited.    

Entry of participants under 13 years of age must have approval from the Parade Committee. 

FLOAT REQUIREMENTS -  

Basic dimensions for floats are:  

            Maximum width   -  16 feet
            Maximum height  -  13-1/2 feet
            Maximum length  -   55 feet

A parade float is a suitably decorated vehicle that travels the parade route under its own power without being towed by a separate vehicle.

A description of the entry must be forwarded to the Daffodil Festival Office, 823 W Main St. Suite C, Sumner, WA 98390-1156 no later than MARCH 10, 2008. 

Decorations:  Floats are not admitted unless 100% decorated (this applies equally to trucks, jeeps, tractors, etc. used to pull floats) and carrying a minimum of 2,000 fresh daffodils.  The balance is to be OTHER FLOWERS, natural green or other types of vegetation and /or decoration such as foil or floral sheeting.  (Note:  the number of daffodils and other flowers will be taken into consideration in the judging).  Persons appearing on floats shall wear suitable costume or clothing in keeping with the theme of entry and weather.  Float drivers, if visible, shall wear appropriate attire. 

 All entries are by invitation only. 

1. Decorated cars, other than cars used by VIP's invited by the Daffodil Festival and those of the Royal Court will not be permitted, unless express permission is granted by the parade committee.
    

2. The entry or appearance of members of additional Royalty or Officers of Local Organizations and agencies is subject to approval of the Parade Committee.  Acceptance will be determined by the number of these types of entries in the Parade and the compatibility of the organization entry with the Daffodil Festival objectives and the Parade theme.  Daffodil Festival does not provide vehicles or signage for these entries.  Community Festivals participating in the Daffodil Parade on a reciprocal basis are NOT subject to this provision.
    

3. Forward maneuvers by marching units will be permitted provided spacing between units does not exceed 50 feet.  All units are required to close the gap between units.  Normal intervals should be approximately 40 feet.
    

4. Participants WILL NOT ACCOST parade route spectators. 
    

5. Alcoholic beverages are forbidden on any float, in any vehicle or on the person of any participant.  Participants consuming alcohol prior to parade start will not be permitted in the parade and any person consuming alcohol during the parade will be removed from the line of march.
    

6. Floats or other units advocating, opposing or depicting any political or social issues are subject to approval of the Parade Committee.  The Committee’s decision is final.
    

NOTE:  A parade application does not guarantee participation  

Other festivals:  Must be 100% decorated and carry a minimum of 1,000 fresh daffodils.  (Visiting Northwest Hosting Festival floats are encouraged to use fresh Daffodils but the minimum has been waved.)

All drivers of floats and vehicles must hold a valid driver’s license.  Floats must comply with all safety requirements as outlined on enclosed inspection list.  Any float not meeting safety requirements will not be judged and may not be allowed in the parade.  Driver will be required to sign an inspection list and present to safety officials prior to parade.   

INSURANCE:  Evidence of insurance for both bodily injury and property damage liability with combined single limits of $1,000,000(each occurrence/aggregate) is required on all floats.  The Daffodil Festival must be named as an additional insured.  

EVIDENCE OF YOUR INSURANCE MUST BE RETURNED WITH YOUR APPLICATION TO THE DAFFODIL FESTIVAL BY MARCH 10, 2008.  Any float or off road motorized vehicle not supplying evidence of insurance will not be allowed to participate in the Daffodil Festival Parade. 

LIVESTOCK REQUIREMENTS 

Ø      No livestock unit will be accepted without a decorated clean up unit following and manned by two or more assistants.  Exception to this rule must be secured in writing from the Parade Committee.

Ø       All units must be attired in uniforms or other Organizational attire.  Livestock must be decorated with daffodils.  Judging will be as follows:  General appearance, Uniforms, Spacing, Originality, use of Daffodils.

 Ø      Horses must be properly trimmed or shod.  For safety purposes, we recommend you purchase a set of “Borium” shoes to be used for parades ONLY! 

Ø      The Parade Committee reserves the right to bar from the parade any horse or rider deemed unsafe to other riders or spectators.  All horses must be in the control of the rider at all times.  Any rider animal deemed unsafe will be removed from the Daffodil Festival Parade.   

Insurance:  Evidence of insurance for both bodily and property damage liability with combined single limits of $1,000,000 (each occurrence/ aggregate) is required on all equestrian entries.  The Daffodil Festival must be named an additional insured. Please read the insurance information sheet for further details. 

EVIDENCE OF YOUR INSURANCE MUST BE RETURNED WITH YOUR APPLICATION TO THE DAFFODIL FESTIVAL BY MARCH 10, 2008.  Any equestrian unit not supplying evidence of insurance will not be allowed to participate in the Daffodil Festival Parade. 

Equestrian groups, such as posse, patrol or saddle club may meet this insurance requirement with the group’s insurance policy.  If your equestrian group does not have insurance, each individual rider must meet the insurance requirement. 

Individual riders:  consult with your insurance agent to see if a ‘rider’ can be added to your homeowner’s policy to meet the insurance requirement.

BANDS AND MARCHING UNITS REQUIREMENTS 

Note:  Junior High Bands are encouraged to march in their respective communities 

Ø       Bands/drill units from communities sponsoring a float are invited to participate, subject to approval of the Parade Committee.  A limited number of bands unaccompanied by a float will be invited to participate.   

Ø       No Band or Marching Unit will be accepted for the parade unless each member is attired in a uniform considered by the Parade Committee to be appropriate. 

Ø       All marching units MUST MAINTAIN A FORWARD MOTION!  Routines which delay the progress of the parade or create gaps greater than 100 feet are not permitted.  BAND DIRECTORS:  Please be sure the drill unit leader is aware of the regulation. 

Ø       DIRECTORS and OTHER PERSONS marching with band or drill units must be distinctively attired. 

The Daffodil Festival does not accept responsibility for traveling, food or lodging expenses, nor for buses or personal items.  

COMMERCIAL ENTRY – Parade Registration Requirements 

• The Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade is a demonstration of community pride, involvement, volunteerism and celebration of our youth.  The Parade consists primarily of community service organizations, school bands, drill teams and representative elements from area civic groups and elected officials. 
   
• Each year the Annual Budget for the Grand Floral Parade, Royalty and the Festival Float exceeds $90,000. The total festival budget far exceeds this amount.  The Official Sponsors of the Daffodil Festival meet this obligation.  If you are interested in becoming a Sponsor of the Daffodil Festival, please contact us.  Sponsorship is what keeps this festival a wonderful Northwest experience for all to enjoy.
   
• COMMERCIAL entries are primarily and advertisement medium.  The numbers of these types of entries could be limited by the parade length, over duplication and theme.  There is a $600.00 charge for a corporation or large business entry.  A small business entry, such as a Dance School or Cheerleading School will be charged $200.  The acceptance of these entries will be determined by the Parade Coordinating Committee. (If you receive a fee for participation in your group, you are considered a small business).
  
  All commercial units should enhance the parade theme, provide an entertaining or performance type entry for the enjoyment of the spectators or be considered a parade support vehicle (i.e. Vehicle Recovery or Assistance.)
   
• NON-COMMERCIAL festival, community or organization entries MAY have sponsors from a private commercial enterprise and may display appropriate recognition for their sponsor.  This signage or display must not, however, be the overwhelming theme or signage for the float, vehicle or banner.

Inquires regarding classification for your entry should be made to the Daffodil Festival Office, 823 W Main Street, Suite C, Sumner WA. 98390-1156, 253-863-9524 and will be referred to the Grand Floral Parade Committee.