Parade (for Businesses)

Are you an Apex Parader?

We’re inviting you to help us kick off this dino-mite Suwanee Fest weekend with an unforgettable parade! This year’s theme is Jurassic Park, so gather your herd, decorate a float, dress like you’ve stepped out of the Mesozoic Era, and/or prepare a 60-second performance to compete for prizes!

The $250 fee associated with business participation in the parade will be used to fund cash prizes. These cash prizes are up for grabs in categories like Best Use of Theme, Most Entertaining, Best Costumes, and more! Don’t miss your chance to show off your creativity and claim the title of apex parader!

• Please note that Suwanee Fest sponsors receive complimentary parade participation and will not be charged an additional fee.

To participate, one representative from your group must attend a mandatory meeting on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at 6:00 PM. Businesses without representation at this meeting will be removed from the parade lineup.

It's going to be a ROARING good time!

Suwanee Fest Parade Participation Policy – Approved July 15, 2021  

Purpose The primary purposes of the Suwanee Fest parade is entertainment value and to highlight local community members, performers, and groups.

Types of entries permitted

Participation in the Suwanee Fest parade is considered a privilege and not guaranteed to any group or person. To help ensure that the parade meets the standards and purposes of the parade and the festival, all potential entrants are vetted. The Suwanee Fest parade encourages participation by locally-focused individuals, civic groups, school groups, entertainers, bands, orchestras, non-profit and charitable organizations, Suwanee Fest sponsors, and other such organizations. As the parade has a limited amount of space for staging and time allowances, the city may restrict the number of entries or participants. This is determined by the parade organizers based on the entries received and adherence to the purpose and requirements set forth herein. In order to maintain the entertainment value, to help keep the focus local, and to control the time and length of the parade, general political groups, political party-specific groups, and/or such advocacy or general movement groups are not permitted in the parade except as noted herein.  

Local political candidate participation

While the city welcomes individual candidates for public office or present officeholders, in order to maintain the parade length and local focus, the city has established the following guidelines:

• Only candidates serving the City of Suwanee residents (i.e. whose potential voters reside within the Suwanee city limits), may participate in the parade provided:
  • Candidates must be physically onsite and a festival participant. o Candidates must be running in the current year’s upcoming election cycle only.
• Political entries are limited to one vehicle (which may be a truck/trailer combo if the entry is a theme-decorated float). Up to 20 additional “walkers” may be part of the candidate’s entry.
• Candidate entries will be slotted into the parade line-up in alphabetical order, or similarly arranged by the parade organizers. (Except that the city of Suwanee councilmembers will be placed in their traditional location near the front of the parade)
• As noted above, non-local candidates, general social and political causes, and/or organizations may not participate.

Corporate and business entries

Non-sponsor corporate or business entries are permitted, but are limited to one vehicle and up to 20 walkers/participants. As with all entries, corporate entries are encouraged to utilize the theme in a float or costumes. Suwanee Fest sponsors, depending on their level of sponsorship, may be extended automatic entry into the parade and be granted priority.

General social and political activity

Political or social demonstrations (positive or negative) are not permitted. Except as otherwise noted for candidates, no individual or group may use the Suwanee Fest parade as a political platform or forum to distribute political materials, via audio or distribution, to express support or dissent of any political or social positions or issue. Provided, nothing herein shall prohibit any person from exercising their free speech rights on public property as long as such expression does not interfere with the Parade.

Use of theme

Each year, a theme is determined for the parade and overall festival atmosphere. We encourage all participants and groups to decorate a float, dress up to reflect the theme, and/or prepare a 30-60 second performance for a chance to win a prize. All entries will have the opportunity to stop at the judge’s station along the route to be recognized by the emcee, or to perform for the judges. Cash prizes are available to school and community groups, and officially recognized non-profit organizations for best use of theme, most entertaining, best costumes and other categories at the discretion of the judging panel.