Parade

Join us for one of the most beloved traditions of the Winterville Watermelon Festival! The 2026 Parade will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 29, 2026.

All parade participants must arrive between 9:00 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. and enter the staging area from Church Street via Laurie Ellis Road, where volunteers will direct you to your assigned lineup location. Arrival before this time will not allow you entry onto the lineup sooner, and late arrivals will likely result in not being allowed entry.

Please note that all entries should be prepared to begin moving promptly at 10:00 a.m. Once the parade concludes, participants must follow the directions of festival volunteers and law enforcement to safely exit the route. All walking participants will be directed down Sylvania Street, and any buses or pick up vehicles should stage accordingly.

All information under "Business Information" should be the as the entry you are filling the application out on behalf of, with the contact information we should use to get in touch with you. ie. Business name could be your club name, the address the mailing address or po box.

By submitting a parade application, participants agree to the following:

• All entries must be family-friendly and appropriate for a community festival.
• No political campaigning is permitted. Elected officials are welcome to participate in the parade; however, campaign signs, slogans, literature, fundraising, or other campaign-related materials are strictly prohibited.
• No horses are permitted.
• No illegal substances, activities, or materials are permitted.
• Music, signage, decorations, and participant behavior must not contain profanity, vulgarity, or obscene content.
• Drivers and participants must follow all instructions from festival volunteers, law enforcement, and parade officials before, during, and after the parade.
• All vehicles must be operated safely at all times. Reckless driving, excessive acceleration, burnouts, or unsafe behavior will result in immediate removal from the parade.
• Throwing candy or promotional items should be done in a safe manner. Participants should avoid throwing items directly at spectators or into the roadway where children may run into traffic.
• The Winterville Watermelon Festival reserves the right to refuse or remove any parade entry that does not comply with these guidelines or is deemed unsafe or inconsistent with the family-friendly nature of the event.
• Participation is at the entrant's own risk. The Winterville Watermelon Festival, its organizers, volunteers, sponsors, and the Town of Winterville are not responsible for injury, loss, theft, or damage to persons or property before, during, or after the parade.
  
  Thank you for helping us create a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable parade for our community!