RIDGEWOOD FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION, INC. - PARADE AWARDS 2008 Floats are judged at 8:00 am., All other groups ARE judged along the parade route. FLOATS Judging Criteria   Workmanship and Materials ·          Effective use of materials (petal paper going in same direction, fringe hangs evenly, etc.) ·          Handmade items score higher than store bought ·          Use of hand built structures (arches, bridges, etc.) Creativity/Artistic Design/Originality ·          Colors fit with theme of float ·          Use of Special effects (smoke, bubbles, laser lights, etc.) ·          Use of animation (moving parts) ·          Use of live plants and natural materials Overall Appeal ·          Float has crowd appeal ·          Float flows together and is balanced ·          Float is designed to be viewed from all sides Theme ·          Design of float portrays theme of Parade ·          Maintains spirit of Fourth of July Personnel and Costuming ·          Personnel smile, connect with audience ·          Costumes fit with theme and design of float Awards   Best Overall Float   Best School Group Float – 1st place Best School Group Float – 2nd place   Best Float Workmanship – 1st place Best Float Workmanship – 2nd place   Most Creative Float – 1st place Most Creative Float – 2nd place   Best Portrayal of Parade Theme – 1st place Best Portrayal of Parade Theme – 2nd place   Best Personnel and Costumes – 1st place Best Personnel and Costumes – 2nd place   Musical Groups – Marching Judging Criteria   Entire group is marching in step Uniform spacing between marchers Musical content Quality of musician-ship Group’s dress is neat and uniform Awards   Best Marching Musical Group – 1st Place Best Marching Musical Group – 2nd Place Musical Groups – Non-Marching Judging Criteria   Musical content Quality of musician-ship Group’s dress is neat and uniform Awards   Best Non-Marching Musical Group – 1st Place Best Non-Marching Musical Group – 2nd Place COLOR GUARDS  (flags, rifles, batons, sabers, etc. accompanying a Marching Musical Group) Judging Criteria   Entire group is marching in step Uniform spacing between marchers Movements enhance musical groups’ overall performance Mastery of equipment use Group’s dress is neat and uniform Awards   Best Color Guard – 1st Place Best Color Guard – 2nd Place HONOR GuardS  (uniformed marchers escorting the Flag) Judging Criteria   Entire group is marching in step Uniform spacing between marchers Group’s dress is neat and uniform Awards   Best Honor Guard – 1st Place Best Honor Guard – 2nd Place General Marching Groups Judging Criteria   Originality Interesting Creative Sharp, not sloppy Patriotic Follows the theme of the Parade Honors the Fourth of July Awards   Best Marching Group – 1st Place Best Marching Group – 2nd Place Fire Departments The Ridgewood Fire Department coordinates the judging of all Fire Departments.  Please contact Fire Director Bombace for any specific information in this area if needed.