Parade Retail/Commercial Application Charlotte Pride 2026
About the application
Use this application to apply for a spot in our parade lineup for your company or organization's parade walking/marching group or group with a float or vehicle. Groups can include up to 100 people.
Corporations, as well as companies or organizations that will consist of walking groups of more than 100, will need to contact Charlotte Pride about becoming a sponsor. To inquire about becoming a sponsor, please reach out to our managing director Meredith Thompson at meredith@charlottepride.org.
NOTE: Spaces for floats are limited and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
Discounts or waived fees are only for organizations that have already become sponsors of the Festival & Parade and whose sponsorship package includes a complimentary space in the parade. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please reach out to our managing director at meredith@charlottepride.org for more information.
If you represent a small, medium, or large nonprofit organization, we invite you to submit an application for Parade entry in this year’s Charlotte Pride Parade, to be held on Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16, 2026.
Our Parade Retail/Commercial Application fee structure is as follows:
Walking Group (NO VEHICLE) - $395
Walking Group (WITH CAR/TRUCK/VAN) - $495
Motorcycle Group - $400
Large Bus or Vehicle (Tractor Trailer) - $595
Group with Float - $595
Application Fee:
A non-refundable application fee of $50 will be charged upon submission of your application. If your application is approved, $50 will be applied towards the total application fee. (Fees listed above include the application fee.)
Late Fee:
Applications received after May 31st at 11:59 pm will be charged a $100 late fee.
NOTE: Sponsor packages often include a Festival Zone Vendor Space and/or Parade entry. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please reach out to our Managing Director at meredith@charlottepride.org for more information.
Parade Applicants will be notified according to the schedule below.
Notification Deadlines and Dates:
Submission by January 31 - Notification by February 16
Submission by February 28 - Notification by March 13
Submission by March 31 - Notification by April 13
Submission by April 30 - Notification by May 11
Submission by May 31 - Notification by June 15
Late fees will be charged starting June 1st.
To avoid late fees, apply by May 31st.
Submission by July 3 (Final Deadline) - Notification by July 14
Please do not email Charlotte Pride requesting status updates before your submission notice date. If you have not been contacted by your appropriate notification date, please email parade@charlottepride.org and a member from the team will get back to you.
For frequently asked questions, please visit our website at https://charlottepride.org/faqs/
About the event
Terms & Conditions
We are following CDC and local health guidelines: At this time, masks are not required for outdoor events. We will have masks and hand sanitizer available in the festival zone for those who need these precautions. We will align our safety protocols should the CDC or local health guidelines change.
Prices
| For-Profit Small Business/Corporate Group of 100 or Fewer Walking Group | $345.00 | Non-refundable | |
| For-Profit Small Business/Corporate Group of 100 or Fewer Walking Group (LATE - After May 31st) | $445.00 | Non-refundable | Gross Receipts / Campaign Budget Over $1 million |
| For-Profit/Retail/Commercial Group with Vehicle (Car/Truck/Van) | $445.00 | Non-refundable | |
| For-Profit/Retail/Commercial Group with Vehicle (Car/Truck/Van) (LATE - After May 31st) | $545.00 | Non-refundable | |
| For-Profit/Commercial Motorcycle Group | $350.00 | Non-refundable | |
| For-Profit/Commercial Motorcycle Group (LATE - After May 31st) | $450.00 | Non-refundable | |
| For-Profit/Commercial Group with Large Commercial Vehicle (Tractor Trailer or Bus) | $545.00 | Non-refundable | |
| For-Profit/Commercial Group with Large Commercial Vehicle (Tractor Trailer or Bus) (LATE) | $645.00 | Non-refundable | |
| Retail/ Commercial/ For-Profit Group with Float | $545.00 | Non-refundable | |
| Retail/ Commercial/ For-Profit Group with Float (LATE - After May 31st) | $645.00 | Non-refundable | |
| Application fees | $50.00 | Non-refundable | Non-Refundable Application Fee (Will be applied to total fee if application is accepted.) |
Questions on the application
Business information
- Business name
- Legal business name
- Contact name
- Address
- Phone
- Website (Optional)
- Logo (Optional)
Additional information
- Full Name of On-Site Contact for Parade Day
- Please list the email address of the person listed above.
- Please select your type of parade entry. Please choose ONE. See description for clarification.
- If (above) you selected any type of contingent other than "Walking," what kind of vehicle will be included in your entry?
- If you selected that your group will be utilizing a float, what float company are you using?
- Parade Entry Name (As it should be read from parade stage and printed in all materials)
- Description of your organization to be read by our emcees to announce your entry during the parade (100 word max)
- Number of Participants in Group
- MOTORCYCLES: How many motorcycles will be in your group?
- Will you have amplified sound of any kind including musical instruments, audio tracks, or megaphones?
- Mandatory Parade Orientation Meeting
- Please send a Certificate of Insurance listing Charlotte Pride as Additional Insured to meredith@charlottepride.org
- Acknowledgement of Finality of Submission
- Any special request or placement
Picture requirements
- Minimum pictures required: 0
