Parade Guidelines

 

The 2024 Homecoming Parade Application was due on Friday, Sep. 27th at 5:00 PM.

The following rules and guidelines are to be met by all entrants in the 2024 Homecoming Parade. Violations will result in forfeiture of participation.

Questions may be directed to the Parade Directors at hoco-parade@uiowa.edu.

  1. Entries are categorized into classes, depending on the type. Each entry must follow the vehicle/float dimensions: 12 foot height, 60 foot length, 100 inch width (including rails), and a 1 foot street clearance.
    There are five entry classes, and they are defined as follows:
    • Class 1 - Traditional Float Entries: All participants must provide their own pulling mechanism and transportation, if applicable. The pulling mechanism must consist of a maximum of one motorized vehicle. A maximum of 30 people may be present on or around the float entry.
    • Class 2 - Motorized Vehicles Without Floats (ex. cars or tractors): The number of vehicles included in this entry space will be dependent on the size of the vehicles. In such entries, there must be an interval between vehicles that is equal to the vehicle length. For example, a vehicle 6 feet in length must have a gap of 6 feet between that and other vehicles in the entry. If the vehicles are of varying sizes, the space between vehicles must be equivalent to the length of the large vehicle in the entry.=
    • Class 3 - Walking and Non-Motorized Entries: These entries may consist of a maximum of 60 people on foot, person-powered, or animal powered vehicles (ex. bicycles, big wheels, or horse & carriage).
    • Class 4 - Marching Bands: These entries take up more space than others and may require special considerations from Parade staff. There is no formal requirement on size or number of people in this entry class.
    • Class 5 - Oversized/Specialty Vehicles (ex. military vehicles, fire trucks): These entries will be considered unique and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Homecoming Council. All decisions made by the Homecoming Council are final.
  2. An entry fee is required for every entry and must accompany the application. Entry fees are outlined in the price matrix listed below:
Organization TypeEntry Fee

Entry Fee

(With a Class 1 entry)

Community Group$150$130
UI Department$100$80
UI Student Organization$50$30

 

Community Groups may pay the entry fee online by credit card. A link to the online payment site is emailed to organizations after the application has been submitted.
UI Departments and UI Student Organizations must pay with an inter-departmental blue requisition. This form may be emailed to the Parade Directors or mailed to 135 IMU.

  1. Oversized groups may need to pay additional entry fees. Groups that take the space of two entries (ex. having multiple vehicles or a large group of people) will need to pay additional entry fees with full payment for the space it is taking. Groups will be notified by the Parade Directors if their entry is considered oversized.
  2. A late fee of $55 is applied to any applications that are received after the deadline. This fee will also be applied to applications that are received before the deadline but not have not been paid.
  3. All Parade entry fees are non-refundable. There are no rain checks or refunds for entry fees, including cancellation due to severe weather.
  4. The field capacity for this year’s parade is 125 entries due to size limitations.
  5. A mandatory meeting will be held for all entries. A representative from your entry is required to attend. Failure to do so will result in loss of entry fee and disqualification from the Parade. The position of each entry will be announced at this time and this list will be reviewed. It is very important that one member of your organization attend this meeting! There are two meeting options::
    1. Sunday, October 20th at 6:30 PM
    2. Monday, October 21st at 6:30 PM
  6. No alcoholic beverages, illegal substances, or banners/advertisements for them will be allowed on or near the entries prior to or during the Parade. If alcoholic beverages and or illegal substances or their containers are found, or the person operating any type of vehicle is suspected of having consumed alcohol, the entry will be pulled from the Parade. Police assistant will be used if necessary.
  7. The Homecoming Parade is intended to be a family-friendly event, and all entries should align themselves with this mission. Please avoid topics, items, graphics or language that may make families and/or children uncomfortable. All entries are reviewed and must be approved to participate. Entries must meet the expectations of the Parade’s mission. The Parade Directors reserve the right to deny entry if this guideline isn’t met.
  8. No items may be thrown from the entries at any time. However, items may be gently handed out, where a minimum of two people must be on each side of the entry, but on the outermost edges of the street at all times, to pass out items to spectators. This guideline will be enforced by Parade Security and the Iowa City Police Department. Violators will be removed from the Parade without refund.
  9. Motorized Vehicle Guidelines (Classes 1, 2, and 5)
    1. Every driver must carry a valid driver’s license. Drivers should be able to present appropriate licenses on Parade day if requested by Homecoming Council, University, or law enforcement officials. 
    2. All vehicles must carry Automobile Liability Insurance with a combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00), or a combination of Automobile Liability Insurance and Personal/Commercial Umbrella Insurance of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00). Proof of insurance should be available from the driver on Parade day if requested by Homecoming Council, University, or law enforcement officials. 
    3. Drivers must meet the University Driving Standards specified in the Operations Manual, Chapter 15.7e. 
    4. All vehicles must carry a minimum 2A10B: five pound fire extinguisher. It must be shown upon request prior to and/or during the Parade. 
    5. Vehicles must yield right of way to all. 
    6. Vehicles must be in good physical and operating condition. 
    7. Stunts, wheelies, driving out of the designated Parade route, and reckless behavior are prohibited. 
    8. All drivers are required to have a clear view and maintain constant observation of all sides of their unit. If any view of these areas is obstructed by accessories, decorations etc., adult supervision must be posted at each corner of the unit to ensure the safety of persons and objects in the surrounding areas. 
  10. All entries that include children ages 12 and under will be required to have a ratio of one adult for every 10 children.
  11. Proceed to your assigned location in the Parade staging area no earlier than 3:00 PM so that the lineup can be positioned properly. The Parade will begin at exactly 5:45 PM, and the flow of entries will proceed according to the Parade route and staging area maps. 

    *Note: Times may change, pending Iowa City approval.
  12. Do not bring extraneous vehicles into the staging area. Additional vehicles delay the start of the Parade and will be towed at the owner’s expense. If someone in your party is differently abled and/or needs special transportation around the staging area, please email the Parade Directors.
  13. At the end of the Parade route, please be considerate of those behind you and clear the area quickly. Explicitly follow the direction of Parade personnel.
  14. Under no circumstances will a group be allowed to stop during the Parade. Marching bands may not stop to perform. If an entry cannot proceed at any point during the Parade, please exit the route or move to the side of the road immediately, letting others continue around you.
  15. Any participants who wish to have animals in their entry must indicate so on the application linked here. Entrants are responsible for paying the permit fee to the Iowa City Department of Animal Services, disposing of any waste, and maintaining the well-being of their animals. Animals must remain on a leash.
  16. If, for any reason, the Parade needs to be called off (ex. extreme weather or otherwise), Homecoming Council leadership will make that decision.

 

Failure to abide by the above policies will result in dismissal from the 2024 Homecoming Parade without refund.

Feel free to contact us with any additional questions!

 

Annabelle Bergholz-Cannizzaro (she/her)
Connor Lofing  (he/him)
Parade Directors