Armed Forces Day Parade Rules & Regulations

10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 16, 2020 | Entry Deadline: April 24, 2020

PARADE RULES

• Entries must be approved by the Bremerton Chamber of Commerce. Entries will not be accepted from individuals, groups or organizations whose mission, agenda, or message is contradictory to the organizational mandate of the United States Armed Forces and federal law under which it operates.
• Entries must observe all applicable rules and regulations and follow all instructions from law enforcement and parade officials. The Parade Committee reserves the right to remove any entrant from the parade, either prior to assembly, at assembly, or any time during the parade.
• Accepted entries will receive written approval in early May. This will include your assembly area, assembly time, map, and further instructions.
• No items may be handed out or thrown along the parade route for safety reasons.
• No more than 10 vehicles will be allowed in each entry. New as of 2020.
• Only forward movement maneuvers are permitted by marching units. A spacing of 50 feet between each unit will be enforced. All units are required to close the gap between units when instructed by the parade officials.
• All marching units must be in FULL UNIFORM, no out-of-uniform marchers will be allowed to accompany unit. Units MUST MAINTAIN A FORWARD MOTION; no stopping or reverse motion will be allowed on the route, other than a 45 second performance in front of the reviewing stand.
• All units are required to have some form of patriotic decoration and all narratives must include some reference to the military or Armed Forces Day. Remember, this is a celebration for members presently serving in our Armed Forces.
• A fire extinguisher is required on motorized entries.
• No items may be sold along the parade route; vendor booth applications are available from the Bremerton Chamber of Commerce. Vendors out of compliance will be removed from the parade route.
• Parade participants may not mingle with or accost parade route spectators.
• Alcoholic beverages are forbidden on any float, in any vehicle or on the person of any participant. Participants consuming alcohol prior to or during the parade will be removed from the lineup.
• Floats or other units advocating, opposing or depicting any political, social issues or endorsing candidates will not be authorized to participate in the Parade.
• Participants are responsible for their own travel expenses, lodging expenses, food, etc.
• With the exception of people on floats and in vehicles, all parade participants must be 12 years of age or older.
• Each parade entry is fully responsible to provide adequate insurance coverage and sign the Hold Harmless Agreement.
• Parade lineup is in a residential area. Please stay on street, sidewalk or in the park.
• Discharge of firearms is prohibited. Refer to Bremerton Municipal Code BMC 9A.24.160 Firearms.

CAR & MOTORCYCLE UNIT REQUIREMENTS

• Car and motorcycle group entries are limited to a maximum of 10 vehicles or motorcycles.
• Cars and motorcycles cannot rev their engines while idling or may be asked to leave the parade.

FLOAT & TOWED DISPLAY REQUIREMENTS

• Floats are not to exceed 13 1/2 feet in height and 16 feet in width. Maximum length is 60 feet per unit and a clearance to the ground from the frame is a minimum of 8 inches. The float must be so constructed that it will be able to make the turns at street intersections.
• Sponsors must furnish drivers for their floats. If in view, drivers must be appropriately attired. Drivers must remain with their float until the parade is dispersed.
• All participants standing on floats must be wearing a safety belt or have handholds while the float is moving. Floats that do not have safety belts or handholds will not be allowed in the parade. Safety belts must be worn on the outside of garments.

EQUESTRIAN UNIT REQUIREMENTS

• Due to safety reasons, no stallions are allowed in the parade.
• Each rider or group must provide its own cleanup unit.
• Equestrian units may disembark from their trailer when the unit’s clean-up crew is on site.
• Any rider demonstrating an inability to control their animal will be asked to leave the parade.

BAND & MARCHING UNIT REQUIREMENTS

• A performance of no more than 45 seconds will be allowed in front of the main reviewing stand, however, judging will take place throughout the parade route.
• If for any reason a gap of greater than 50 feet is created, bands must increase their pace to close the gap. You will not be asked to increase pace in front of judges.

Armed Forces Day Parade Judgind & Awards

10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 16, 2020 | Entry Deadline: April 24, 2020

JUDGING CRITERIA

Judging criteria for all categories has been developed and is available upon request at chamber@bremertonchamber.org

PARADE AWARD CATEGORIES

• GRAND MARSHAL’S AWARD (Best Military Unit – Active or Reserve)
• ADMIRAL’S AWARD (Best Color Guard)
• COMMANDER’S AWARD (Best JROTC/Sea Cadet Unit)
• JOHN “BUD” HAWKE AWARD (Best Veterans Unit)
• MAYOR’S AWARD (Best Towed Display/Float)
• FESTIVAL AWARD (Judge’s Choice)
• AMBASSADOR’S AWARD (Best Military/Community/Other Band)
• PEOPLE’S AWARD (Crowd Favorite)

• HIGH SCHOOL BANDS (A)
• HIGH SCHOOL BANDS (AA)
• HIGH SCHOOL BANDS (AAA)
• HIGH SCHOOL BANDS (AAAA)
• HIGH SCHOOL DRUM MAJOR
• HIGH SCHOOL FLAG CORPS
• HIGH SCHOOL DRILL TEAMS

• MIDDLE/JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL BANDS
• MIDDLE/JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL FLAG CORPS
• MIDDLE/JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL DRILL TEAMS

• BEST COMMUNITY DRILL TEAM
• BEST YOUTH ORGANIZATION
• BEST CIVILIAN VEHICLE UNIT
• BEST EQUESTRIAN UNIT
• BEST VINTAGE MILITARY VEHICLE
• BEST VINTAGE AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT
• BEST MOTORCYCLE GROUP