RIDGEWOOD FOURTH OF JULY PARADE REGULATIONS

RIDGEWOOD FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION, INC.

PARADE REGULATIONS 2008

The purpose of the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration is to celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the USA and its history and to honor American Patriots of all times.  

The Parade is not to be used as a platform for political, commercial or special interest groups.  

All Parade participants must keep within the theme of the Parade and
the spirit of the celebration of the Fourth of July.

·         To participate, all groups must complete and sign an application prior to the Parade.

·         Participants may begin to line up at anytime.  No “place markers” (such as cones, barricades or vehicles other than those used in the parade, etc) may be used to reserve a space at the line-up site -- actual members of the group must be present.

·         The Parade begins 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 4, 2008 (RAIN OR SHINE!)  All groups must be in place by 9:00 a.m.  (Floats by 8:00 a.m. for Judging)

·         Participants are requested to carry one sign identifying their group for judging — other signs, including “For Sale” signs are not allowed.

·         The Committee reserves the right to limit the size of any participant group.  Fire Departments are limited to 4 pieces of equipment unless accompanied by a band.

·         Elected officials must ride in motorized vehicles.

·         All participants must keep up with the pace of the Parade.  Do not allow gaps to form in front of your group.  Failure to keep up will result in removal at the next intersection.  Also, do not close in on the group in front of you.

·         No alcoholic beverages are permitted.

·         Nothing, repeat NOTHING, may be handed, thrown or distributed to the spectators along the Parade route.  IGNORING THIS REGULATION WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE EXPULSION.

·        This means DO NOT THROW CANDY!  Children picking up candy from the street are out of the line of sight for most large parade vehicles (fire trucks, floats, etc.).

·        Most paper handouts end up littered on the sidewalks, streets and yards along the parade route.

·         FLOATS:

·         All Floats MUST fit under the Franklin Avenue train trestle and any low hanging wires.

If a float is more than 11 feet high, float personnel must demonstrate their ability to collapse and reassemble float in less than two minutes. ANY FLOAT TALLER THAN 11 FEET UNABLE TO MEET THESE CRITERIA WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PARADE.

·         Definitions:  Float -- pulled by a commercial truck, Mini Floats -- pulled by a passenger vehicle.

·         JUDGING:

·         Floats are judged at 8:00 a.m. 

·         All other groups are judged on their performance along the Parade route.

·         Failure to comply with these regulations or with orders from Parade Marshals will result in the participant being refused permission to march in the Parade or in expulsion after the Parade begins.

Regulations are set by the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration, Inc.,
the governing body of the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration.