• The Tuesday, July 4, 2017 Parade will be preceded at 9:30am with the exciting “4th of July Liberty Parade Cruise” featuring vintage, collector, and custom cars.]
• Your entry should be designed for family entertainment. Decorate or costume participants for the 2017 theme “The Great American Road Trip” or for our annual Heritage Theme, Celebrating our Country=s Independence and Freedoms.@ See the Judging@ section for more on the judging of entries.
• This is a Forward Motion@ Parade, so perform on the move.@ There will be no stopping to perform anywhere, but if the parade is stalled, of course it is OK to perform while waiting for it to move forward. Start moving forward again as soon as the unit ahead of you moves forward. If a unit breaks down, pass them by. Maintain a maximum interval of 50 feet or less behind the unit ahead. Don=t lag further behind. Please follow the directions of the Parade Marshals.
• Groups or individuals wishing to distribute anything along the parade route must pay an additional $50 clean-up fee with their entry. Those wishing to distribute anything along the parade route need to contact the Parade Committee (408 779-1776) or email: parade@mhfreedomfest.com) for approval and to submit a sample of your handout.
• Each unit must complete the entire Parade route from and back to its unit staging area before disbanding.

SAFETY

• For hearing safety reasons, from 4th Street on Monterey Road to Main Street on Monterey Road is a “Noise Abatement Zone”. Vehicle horns, sirens, and loud mufflers are not allowed in that area of the parade route.
• No alcoholic beverages in the staging area or around the parade route by participants or spectators per local municipal laws.
• NOTHING may be thrown or tossed along the parade route – approved items may be handed to spectators.
• Non-gummy candy may be HANDED to children along the edge of the parade by a unit=s designated walker(s). (The Health Department has determined that gummy candy presents a choking hazard to young children.)
• Any devise that projects water, foam, or the like is not allowed by participants or spectators. (Parents and adult chaperones may cool off children in their unit with water misting bottles.)
• All living things on a moving entry must be “safely secured.@ Anyone standing must have a safety bar or post to hold on to. No one is allowed to be on a running board, hood, roof, fender, or to have legs dangling off a vehicle or trailer. Remember to maintain control of animals at all times.
• If children under 18 are in the parade, adult chaperones must walk alongside and supervise. (These Awalkers@ must wear matching or patriotic clothing, or carry an American flag as a A unit member i.d.@).
• Groups with small children may take them out of the parade if they get hot and tired. Once rested, a Parade Safety Marshal can help the group reenter the Parade. Don’t worry about being out of number sequence.
• Sound amplifying systems should not be played so loudly as to interfere with other units.
• No firearms may be fired, no open flames allowed, and all vehicles and floats MUST have a legal 2A-10BC rated (or larger) fire extinguisher on board. Decorations must be flame resistant.
• Vehicles must be currently registered and have valid liability insurance covering the parade activity. Drivers must be over 18 and licensed for the type of vehicle they are driving.

Equestrian Entries and Groups with Animals

The California State Horseman’s Association Parade Rules are to be followed, as well as directions of the CSHA Judge and the Parade Marshals.  Equestrians are responsible for knowing what the CSHA Rules are.  Equestrian entries must have valid liability insurance covering parade activities.  Groups with animals will stage in the equestrian staging area.  All Animals must be in good physical condition and able to walk at the normal parade pace of  2mph AND Must Be Crowd and Parade ready, and able to accept parade noises and activities and remain calm for safety reasons

Equestrian Entries and Groups with Animals

The California State Horsemen’s Association Parade Rules are to be followed, as well as directions of the CSHA Judge and the Parade Marshals.  Equestrians are responsible for knowing what the CSHA Rules are. If you don’t have a copy please call the Parade Committee at (408) 779-1776, and request one.  Equestrian entries must have valid liability insurance covering parade activities.  Groups with animals will stage in the equestrian staging area.  All Animals must be in good physical condition and able to walk at the normal parade pace of 2 mph.  All Horses, Donkeys, Minis, Mules, Ponies, etc., Must Be Crowd and Parade ready, and able to accept parade noises and activities and remain calm for safety reasons.

Equestrian entries may compete in the following CSHA categories:

You’re in Show Business !!

Being in a Parade or Car Cruise is being in show business! It’s your time to shine and show off your prized vehicle. With that in mind the following procedures, expectations, and vehicle rules will help to achieve this.  In brief:

1. Vehicle Signs:Each antique, custom, and collectible vehicle may have door signs with neatly printed 12 to 2 inch tall letters describing at least the year and make (for example: 1932 Ford.)

The model (for example: two door hardtop;) the owner’s, driver’s, passengers’ names; other information about the vehicle, etc. are optional. The maximum size should be about 18×24 inches.

If magnetic signs are not used, the low-tack masking tape used to mount the signs should completely frame the signs for neatness of appearance. Professional or well-made homemade signs are fine.

Except for commercial entries (who have paid to advertise in the parade), no signs indicating sponsorship may be posted on any (amateur or non-profit) vehicle, float, etc. Persons who wish to include such sponsorship signs should pay in advance the commercial/professional entry fee.

2. Costuming:Every person riding or walking with an antique or collectible vehicle is encouraged to wear clothing appropriate to the era of the vehicle.

For more modern vehicles, everyone is encouraged to wear a patriotic shirt, wave a flag, etc.  Regular street clothes just aren’t Show Biz, and this is a patriotic holiday parade!

3. Decorating:All vehicles may be tastefully decorated with flags, bunting,  streamers, etc.  (Ask the Parade Committee volunteers for a catalog of parade decorating materials or check the Parade website)
4. Music of the era:Vehicles may play patriotic music of the car’s era (on boom boxes, tape or cd players, etc.) as your vehicle drives through the parade.
5. Performing:You are in Show Business! Smile and wave to the young and old and in-betweens. Just sitting there in the car is BORING – to you and the spectators alike! Get in the Spirit!
6. Groups:Antique and collectible vehicles may be paraded in chronological order, oldest to the newest within your group.  Military collectible units may  group their vehicles together in the era served, (i.e. WWI., WWII, Korean, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Afghanistan/Iraq, etc.)
7. Interval / spacing of Units:Every parade Cruising Vehicle is encouraged to maintain a maximum interval of two to three car lengths between vehicles. Be sure to keep up and don’t lag behind!

FOR SAFETY

8. Flaming, weaving, squealing of tires, exhibition of speed, or driving on the parade route in excess of 5mph, are all unsafe with so many children around and are not allowed.
9. No alcoholic beverages are allowed in the staging area or in or around the parade route by participants or spectators during the Cruise and Parade, per local municipal law.
10. NOTHINGmay be thrown or tossed along the parade route,pre-approved items may only be handed to spectators by persons walking outside the car.  This is to keep children from running up to the car and falling under the wheels.  (The Parade Committee receives information every year about children being injured and even killed at Parades and Car Cruises.  We don’ want that to happen here!)
11. Non-gummycandy may be HANDED to children along the edge of the parade by your walker(s).  (The S.C. County Health Department has determined that gummy candy presents a choking hazard to young children.)
12. Any devise that projects water, foam, or the like is not allowed by participants or spectators.  (Parents and adult chaperonesmay cool off children in their group with water misting bottles.)
13. All living things on a moving vehicle must be secured.  No one is allowed to be on a running board, hood, roof, or fender, etc. Remember to maintain control of any animals at all times.
14. Persons under 18 years are not allowed to operate motorized vehicles in the parade.

ENJOY!  We hope these show business procedures and rules will help increase the spectators’ and your own enjoyment. A complete listing of all the Parade Procedures, Expectations, and  Rules is posted on the Parade web page (www.mhfreedomfest.com). We invite your questions, suggestions and constructive comments by e-mail (parade@garlic.com) or phone (408-779-1776.)

EXPECTATIONS  and  BAND PERFORMANCE EARNINGS

1. Bands should wear regular, or special “summer” uniforms, such as black pants and polo or T-shirts (imprinted with the band’s name & logo if possible.) The Committee feels that the normally mismatched faded to dark blue denim jeans, shorts and skirts just don’t make a good presentation or have as much spectator appeal as does a nice uniform look of khaki or black, etc.

If desired, we can help provide your band with quality band T-shirts imprinted with your band’s name and logo, mascot, etc. We receive a special discount so the cost is reasonable. This could be paid from the extra stipend you would receive for a parade uniform appearance. The purpose of this uniformity is to help make your unit look sharper!

2. “Mom Squads” or water carriers, etc. in mixed “street clothes” really detract from the looks and showmanship of your band.

All persons who accompany your band must be “uniformed” and clearly identified as members of your group in order to earn the extra $250 “uniformed” allowance. You may use your band or Band Boosters’ tee shirts, matching patriotic shirts, etc. If non-“uniformed” persons want to walk along with your band, please inform them that a non-uniform look will cost the Band $250. Another alternative is to bring extra band or boosters shirts and have the walkers wear them.

3. Each band should be preceeded by its own publicity / identification banner. Need one? Contact us. You should bring your required banner carriers, “uniformed” as above.
4. Your band will also be preceded by a banner announcing the name of the sponsor which provides your earnings.  (We provide this banner and carriers for it.)
5. Bands should play rapid tempo, stirring, patriotic march music, such as a John Phillip Souza march, etc. which would be recognized by a good percentage of the spectators.

Pipe bands should play “quick time” march music of approximately 80 to 100 steps per minute such as Scotland the Brave, etc. Please notify us via email by June 4 as to which musical piece you will be playing so the Announcers can notify the spectators who you are and the music you are playing.

Please be sure to be playing as you pass each of the four announcing stands. Do NOT stop to perform as this is a forward motion Parade.

6. Bands may either march or play on a decorated flatbed truck, etc.
7. All bands are expected to take home the top money offered in their size category by playing 80% of the time, or more, on the Parade route. Please note that the drum cadencedoes not countas part of this 80% playing time.
8. Awards: In addition to the cash earnings, the top three competing bands in each Parade Entry Category, pipe, adult, college, high school, elementary, mixed group, etc. may each receive a very nice trophy, if desired. The top three Drum Majors and Flag Teams may also receive trophies or medals.

Please let us know via email by June 4 if you would like to receive one of these award types and if you plan to be at the 2:00 awards ceremony to receive your awards. (You may state this on your application, email, or call.)

9. Presentation of Awards Ceremony: After the judges have compiled their parade points, the Awards Ceremony will be held at 2:00 in the V.I.P. area on the 1^st floor of the Morgan Hill Parking Garage, 55 East 4^th Street. Free cold beverages are provided. Please arrange to have your representative(s) there to receive your awards and the performance money check! You may want to eat downtown or go see the Car Show at the Community Center on 5^th Street while waiting for the Awards Ceremony.

Band Performance Earnings

10. The cash earnings are normally based on:

1) the numbers of players in the band,

2) the uniform appearance of the players, water carriers, Mom’s Squad, etc., and

3) on the percentage of time the band is actually playing music on the parade route.

For example, if a nicely “uniformed” band (see Expectations #1 and #2 above) of approximately 36 musicians plays 4 out of every 5 minutes (80%) they will have earned the top amount of money for their category.

11. To earn an extra $250 (in addition to the earnings shown below) the Director may plan to have different groups playing at all times, as they Parade along the route. Sounds difficult, but some bands do this regularly by dividing the Band into three or four “mini” bands. (All play, then “A” group drops out to rest the embouchure, then rejoins as “B” group rests, then “C” , then the sequence starts again as all play, etc.

If you care to try this, please let us know so we can reserve the extra $250 for you.  (See # 12 above)

12. Categories of Band Sizes:

Fewer? Please call and discuss.

13. Questions? Comments? Please call us and let’s discuss. We, the Chairs, and the Parade Committee want to “work with” you and are looking forward to seeing your Band in the Morgan Hill Freedom Fest July 4^th Parade.

Sincerely,

Bob and Maureen Hunt, the Freedom Fest Parade Chairs