PARADE INSTRUCTIONS

1. INTRODUCTIONS: Everyone should have provided a one or two sentence introduction for the parade emcees to read as you pass the reviewing stand. If you haven’t done this, please send it to Culture@remyrouge.com, Subject: Parader Info.

2. PARADE POLICY: Everyone in the parade must be pushing, pulling, carrying, wearing or performing art. NO CAMPAIGNING. NO ADVERTISING, except for signage that identifies who made the art. No live animals. Do not throw anything (including candy) from the parade. If you have questions about parade policy or need guidance on eligible parade art or signage, PLEASE CONSULT THE FAQs.  https://www.wheatonartsparade.org/faq

3. ASSEMBLY: is from 7:30-9:30 am. Paraders are assigned to one of 2 assembly areas (Parking Lot 13, the Grandview Parking Lot, or Parking Lot 34, the Ennalls Ave Parking Lot.) The assembly areas are close to each other near the intersection of Ennalls & Grandview Aves. (See above map.) Within each assembly area there are assigned spots for paraders to gather. There will be signs to designate the different gathering spots. Paraders will receive their assigned gathering spots by email. 

4. ARRIVAL ROUTE. If arriving by car, USE GRANDVIEW AVE ONLY from University Blvd or Blueridge Ave. DO NOT ENTER THE FESTIVAL AREA. If dropping off, make a U-turn at Ennalls Ave, drop off paraders, and exit up University Blvd. If parking, drive past the barricade to the garage. Walk to your assigned assembly station.

5. CHECK-IN: After you park, check in at the table at the intersection of Ennalls and Grandview. You can check in before or after you take your stuff to your gathering spot. Only one person from a group needs to check in. Confirm your name, or your group’s name, and your parade order. Confirm that we have your introduction information.

6. PARADE ORDER: See below table. It is important to maintain this order so the master of ceremonies can introduce you when you reach the reviewing stand. If you get out of order, let a volunteer know so the emcee at the reviewing stand can be informed of the change of your place in the parade.
 

8. FLOATS: If you have a small float you should bring it with you to your assembly station. IF YOU HAVE A LARGE FLOAT LET US KNOW ASAP so we can list it in the program and it will be assigned a place in the line of floats on Ennalls Ave. Float pullers should stand by their float. There will be a volunteer by the floats to tell you when to merge into the parade.

9. JOINING THE PARADE FROM THE ASSEMBLY AREAS: At the start of the parade, WAP Volunteers will manage the release of participants onto Ennalls Ave. While you are waiting, identify the group or person listed in the program in front of you. Follow them into the parade. Also, identify the group that is supposed to be behind you. There is a map of the parade route at the bottom of these instructions.

10. PACING & SPACING: The parade will move at a leisurely pace. Allow 3-4 car lengths between groups so that spectators get to appreciate each group before another one arrives. But don’t get spaced so far apart that spectators can’t appreciate the parade as a continuous flow. The parade will get backed up once paraders reach the reviewing stand. Try not to bunch up when the parade stops. Maintain spacing and entertain the crowd. Please feel free to interact with the spectators, but do not throw things or hand out anything from the parade.

11. PLANNED STOP: The parade will make ONE planned stop when the head of the parade reaches the Reviewing Stand. Stop walking and “do your thing” for the spectators. Don’t bunch up with the group in front of you. This stop allows the VIPs in the parade to take their places on the Reviewing Stand.

12. PASSING THE REVIEWING STAND: Grandview Ave is downhill and the parade has to move to the left of the yellow traffic barricades as it reaches the Reviewing Stand. The reviewing stand will be to your right. The Emcees will introduce you with the words you provided. If they get your group’s name wrong or don’t know who you are, just shout it out. If you have a short routine, LESS THAN ONE MINUTE, please perform it and exit quickly to make room for the next group. Give the paraders at the reviewing stand in front of you enough room to move around. Don’t bunch up.

13. AT THE END OF THE PARADE: After passing the reviewing stand, paraders should DISPERSE TO THE LEFT, UP REEDIE DR. Take your stuff to your car or to your tent or find a place along the parade route to watch the rest of the parade. FLOAT PULLERS should pull floats into the plaza and secure them so that they will not roll or blow away. Volunteers will direct float pullers where to station their floats. After the parade, there will be brief remarks and the national anthem.

14. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The parade route is about 1/2 mile long. Participants will walk slowly on mostly level paved streets. FLOAT OPERATORS must be prepared to slow/stop the float. Going downhill, the rear operator is the brake. If you have difficulty walking in the parade and are unable to continue walking for any reason, step to the side of the parade and signal to one of the WAP volunteers for assistance.