Parade Entry application

🎄 Join the City of Monroe for “A Hometown Christmas” Parade! 🎄

We’re excited to invite local businesses, schools, churches, civic groups, and community organizations to participate in the City of Monroe’s annual Christmas parade: “A Hometown Christmas”!

Parade Date: December 4, 2024, 6:00pm
Location: Broad Street, Downtown Monroe

Deadline for entry: October 31, 2025

This cherished holiday tradition brings the community together to celebrate the season with lights, music, and festive spirit. We’re now accepting applications for:

Floats

Walking groups

Marching bands

Dance teams

Classic vehicles

Horse units

And more!

For questions or more information, contact the Main Street office at 770-266-5364. Or email sdaniels@monroega.gov.

Let’s make this year’s “A Hometown Christmas” Parade the brightest one yet! We can’t wait to see how you’ll bring the holiday spirit to life.

General information, Requirements and Fees:

PLEASE READ ENTIRE SECTION THOROUGHLY BEFORE APPLYING. 

A non-refundable application fee of $25 is charged at the time of application submission. If your application is accepted by the jury, you will then be charged the applicable participation fee.  You will receive an email stating the status of your application after November 1.

There will be a MANDATORY MEETING on Monday, December 1, 2025, 6pm at Monroe City Hall, 215 N. Broad Street. A representative from each entry MUST be present. This is when you will receive your line up location and number.

FEES AND DEADLINE

Entry Deadline is October 31, 2025, absolutely NO entries will be received after November 1, 2025.

Fees:

• Non-refundable application fee: $25.00
• Business and for-profit entries: $100.00
• Non-profit entries: $85.00
• Additional Vehicle fee: $50.00

Applications will be reviewed by a jury and selected for originality, creativity and adhering to the parade theme. No advertisements are allowed on parade floats.  Once the applications are selected you will be sent an email stating the status of acceptance and then the entry fee will be charged.  The non-refundable application of $25 will be charged upon submission of the parade application.  Be read the rules and regulations carefully before submitting your application. 

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES WILL RESULT IN REMOVAL FROM THE PARADE 

1. All entries must be one float or one vehicle only.  These are called units.  Any applicant that has more than one unity must pay the additional un charge per unit. (i.e. a float pulled by a truck, plus an accompanying car would be considered two units and would pay only entry fee plus one "Additional unit" fee). 
2. All entries MUST be decorated according to the parade theme. "A Hometown Christmas". In addition, entries are asked to illuminate their entry using batteries, wiring, generators, AC converters, etc.
3. Please plan to arrive at your assigned location NO LATER THAN 4:30pm on parade day.
4. The Monroe Downtown Development Authority reserves the right to refuse participation of any entry at its sole discretion, including but not limited to any entry containing political and social statements or issues or not meeting the parade guidelines.
5. To avoid the possibility of injury to spectators or participants, participants are not allowed to throw candy or other items from any float or vehicle in the parade. This policy will be strictly enforced.  Participants may walk the parade route and hand out items.  Violation of this will result in removal from the parade and no consideration for future parades.
6. Animals participating in the parade must be harnessed or leashed at all times.  Entries are responsible for the removal of any animal waste made along the parade route throughout the procession of the parade.
7. Vehicles:
   • Only individuals 18 years of age and older will be allowed to drive automobiles, trucks, floats, tractors, or motorcycles in the parade.
   • All drivers must have personal liability insurance and must submit a copy of insurance with the parade application
   • No sitting on the sides of pickup trucks or standing in the bed of pickup trucks.
   • Drivers will not speed, squeal/ spin tires, or drive towards spectators.
8. No Santa can be used on any float or entry, live or mannequin. The official Santa will arrive at the end of the parade.
9. Children that are riding bicycles must have adult supervision in front, back and sides of formation and be wearing a helmet while riding.
10. Only floats will be judged. 
11. Indemnity Agreement must be signed to participate.
12. No advertisements will be permitted to be posted on the floats.  You may wear your logo or carry signage indicating your business.  This is a Christmas parade, not a billboard.

JUDGING CRITERIA

All floats will be judged by originality, creativity and overall, adhering to the parade.

Mayor's Award- best overall float from a non-profit

Chairman's Award- best overall float from a business

Superintendent Award- best overall award from a school

An honorable mention in each category will be awarded.

In order to be judged, floats must be ready and lined up by 5:00pm on parade day.