Thomaston Christmas Lights Parade "A Whoville Christmas"

Christmas Lights Parade Participant Terms & Conditions By submitting an application to participate in the Thomaston Christmas Lights Parade, the applicant agrees to comply with all parade rules, safety requirements, and instructions from the City of Thomaston, parade staff, law enforcement, and emergency personnel. 1. Vehicles & Drivers * All motorized vehicles participating in the parade must be operated by a person with a **valid driver's license**. * Motorcycle riders are required to wear a **properly fitted helmet at all times** while participating in the parade. Participants who fail to comply may be removed from the parade. * **Golf carts and ATVs/UTVs equipped with seat belts are not required to have the driver or passengers wear helmets. However, seat belts must be worn at all times.** * All vehicles must remain on the designated parade route unless directed otherwise by parade officials or law enforcement. * Unlicensed, unregistered, or improperly tagged vehicles that leave the designated parade route may be subject to enforcement action, including possible impoundment. * Drivers must operate vehicles at a safe speed and maintain a safe distance from other parade entries, pedestrians, and spectators. * No participant may ride on the exterior of a moving vehicle or in an unsafe position. 2. Candy & Giveaways * Candy and small giveaways are permitted. * **Candy may not be thrown directly into the roadway.** * Walkers may distribute or gently toss candy toward the **sidewalk area**, away from moving vehicles. * Participants should never encourage children or spectators to enter the parade route to retrieve candy or other items. 3. Horses & Livestock * All horses participating in the parade must have a **manure collection bag** or a designated walker following the animal to promptly collect any droppings. * Handlers are responsible for maintaining control of their animals throughout the parade. * Animals that present a safety concern may be removed from the parade at the discretion of parade officials or law enforcement. 4. Parade Entries & Participation * All parade entries must be appropriate for a **family-friendly Christmas celebration**. * Parade participants must remain with their assigned entry and follow instructions regarding lineup, movement, and placement. * Participants may not leave their assigned entry or interfere with another parade entry. * Applications may be denied or entries may be removed if the proposed participation does not meet the purpose, safety requirements, or family-friendly nature of the parade. * **School-related marching organizations**, including bands, ROTC, Color Guard, and similar groups, may participate as approved by the Parade Committee. 5. Political, Inappropriate & Prohibited Content The Christmas Lights Parade is a community holiday event. Parade entries may not include: * Political campaign signs, political advertisements, or political materials. * Social or political advocacy materials that are unrelated to the Christmas parade. * Inappropriate, offensive, vulgar, or obscene costumes, signs, gestures, language, displays, or behavior. * Displays or use of the American Flag that do not comply with applicable U.S. Flag Code guidelines. * Any material or conduct that parade officials determine to be inappropriate for a family-oriented community event. 6. Alcohol, Drugs & Tobacco * Participants may not participate in the parade while **under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs**. * Alcohol and illegal drugs are prohibited on parade entries and in the parade lineup area. * **Tobacco products, including smoking and vaping, are prohibited on the parade route and while participating in the parade.** 7. Safety & Removal from the Parade The **City of Thomaston and parade officials reserve the right to deny participation or remove any participant, vehicle, animal, or parade entry from the parade at any time** when necessary to protect public safety or maintain the integrity of the event. Removal may occur without advance notice for violations of these Terms & Conditions, failure to follow instructions, unsafe conduct, inappropriate behavior, or any other circumstance that parade officials reasonably determine presents a safety concern or is inconsistent with the family-friendly nature of the event. Participants agree to immediately follow the directions of parade officials, City staff, law enforcement, and emergency personnel. 8. Compliance Failure to comply with these Terms & Conditions may result in: * Removal from the parade; * Denial of participation in future City-sponsored events; * Citation or other enforcement action when applicable; and/or * Other action permitted by law. By submitting an application, the participant acknowledges that they have read, understand, and agree to follow these Terms & Conditions.