Parade Entry Packet2013 Parade Information
GENERAL: Springfield's 2013 St. Patrick's Day Marching Band Parade starts promptly at noon on Saturday, March 16, 2013. There is no rain date. If the parade must be canceled due to inclement weather, every attempt will be made to contact all participants no later than the morning of the parade.
All parade entries must check-in at the Parade Registration Desk located at the southwest corner of the Horace Mann parking lot by 11:15AM. Signs and volunteers will direct participants to their designated staging area. If an entry is not located in their designated staging area by 11:30 AM, they will not be allowed to participate in the parade.
PARADE ROUTE: View the parade route.
CANDY HANDOUTS: Throwing candy or anything else into a crowd from a moving vehicle is very dangerous. Candy and other objects may only be handed to spectators by walkers near the curb.
PARADE CHECK-IN: All entrants should report to the check-in area located the Horace Mann parking lot (north side of Jefferson between 7th and 8th). All parade entries with vehicles should enter the parade area from 9th street at Jefferson and head west to the Parade Registration area. Check-in opens at 9:00AM and closes at 11:15 a.m. All units must be checked in by 11:15 a.m., unless otherwise specified. Upon check-in, your unit will be given a parade number which corresponds to your place in the parade. You will also be instructed by a staging area coordinator where to line up, based on your assigned number. By parade day, much review has already gone into the line-up. The decision of the staging area coordinator concerning participation and position in the parade is final.
Also remember, PARKING IN THE STAGING AREAS IS FOR PARADE ENTRIES ONLY. ANY PERSONAL VEHICLES PARKING IN ANY OF THE STAGING AREAS MAY BE TOWED.
FLOATS: Any float wishing to be judged for the cash prizes should indicate such when they register for the parade. All floats wishing to compete must have a representative with their float at the time of the actual judging. More information coming soon.
BANDS: The Springfield St. Patrick's Day Marching Band Parade seeks to be one of the best marching band parades in the Midwest with many competing and non-competing band entries taking part. All non-professional marching bands, both competing and non-competing receive a cash stipend of $250 for registering prior to parade day. A $100 Appearance Fee shall be presented to each band on parade day as they pass the Reviewing Stand.
All band buses should enter the School Band Staging Area from 9th street at Washington Street. Buses will be directed to head west on Washington Street (which will be closed to other traffic) and will be parked between 7th street and 9th street. A representative from each of the bands should still check-in at the registration desk in the Horace Mann parking lot.
In addition to the $250 registration stipend, each competing band will receive a $100 performance stipend on the day of the parade. The judging zone is the 200 block of South 6th. Judging criteria coming soon.
WALKING UNITS & OTHER ENTRIES: Follow the general check-in information. Entries must be kept to a reasonable length, and generally reflect the description on the entry form (For example, if the form says you will have 10 cars, don't show up with more). The registration form asks for number of marchers accompanying your entry. With the exception of bands and scouts, the parade committee must give approval to all walking group of more than 50 people. All political entries will be limited to a maximum of 50 walkers, no exceptions. If you are a non-political organization and have more than 50 people interested walking, please indicate this on your entry form, so the committee can review your entry and contact you. We appreciate your cooperation!
POLITICAL FLOATS & ENTRIES: Entrants are encouraged to make their entry as entertaining as possible for the audience. Floats, marching units and other parade participants are encouraged to dress for the occasion. In the spirit of a St. Patrick’s Day Parade, all entries are encouraged to join in the “Wearing of the Green.”
Parade entries representing political candidates or organizations will not be eligible to compete for any cash prizes offered by the parade. Please remember that political entries are limited to 50 adults or children. Failure to comply risks exclusion of all or part of the entry. The decision of the parade committee and staging area coordinator is final.
PACING: To prevent gaps, please maintain pacing. Entries should not stop or slow down to perform along the parade route. Keep a short, safe interval from the unit in front of you. Please be aware that there may be marching bands near your entry. Please do not blast horns or sirens or otherwise interfere with performing bands. All efforts will be made to disperse parade entries to minimize excessive noise between entries and allow spectators to enjoy the music of the bands.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: The St. Pat’s Parade is a family event with many students and children present and participating. The consumption of alcoholic beverages by parade participants in the staging area and throughout the 20 minutes of the parade route is strictly prohibited. Open alcoholic beverages are prohibited in any motorized vehicle by law. Violators and their entries are subject to removal by the Committee.
MORE INFORMATION: For more information or if you have questions, please e-mail info@springfieldirish.org.
