Christmas Lights Parade 2026 Entry Application

Join us for Thomaston's 8th Annual Christmas Lights Parade!

This year's parade theme is A Whoville Christmas, and we invite businesses, schools, churches, civic organizations, nonprofits, families, community groups, and other organizations to celebrate the season with us.

The parade will take place on Saturday, December 19, 2026, in Downtown Thomaston.

We encourage all parade participants to decorate their entry and bring the spirit of Whoville to life! Creative floats, decorated vehicles, walking groups, characters, costumes, lights, music, and other festive displays are welcome.

Parade entries may include:
• Floats
• Cars and trucks
• Golf carts
• ATVs/UTVs
• Buses and 18-wheelers
• Horses/equestrian entries
• Walking groups
• Community organizations
• Schools and student groups
• Churches
• Businesses
• Nonprofits and civic organizations
• Other appropriate parade entries

Please provide accurate information about your entry, including the type and size of your entry and the number of participants. This information will be used to create the parade lineup and ensure appropriate spacing and safety.

Space in the parade is limited. Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance. The City of Thomaston reserves the right to approve, deny, combine, or limit entries based on safety, logistics, appropriateness, and the overall flow of the parade.

We can't wait to see how you bring A Whoville Christmas to life!

Christmas Lights Parade Terms & Conditions
By submitting an application to participate in the 2026 Christmas Lights Parade, the applicant agrees to the following:

1. Parade Date & Weather
The Christmas Lights Parade will take place on Saturday, December 19, 2026. The parade will be held rain or shine unless the City of Thomaston determines that weather or other conditions create an unsafe environment. There is no guaranteed rain date or refund for cancellation due to weather or other circumstances beyond the City's control.

2. Application & Acceptance
Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance. The City of Thomaston reserves the right to approve, deny, limit, or remove any parade entry based on safety, appropriateness, logistics, space, or the overall quality and flow of the parade.

3. Parade Theme
The 2026 parade theme is A Whoville Christmas. Participants are strongly encouraged to decorate their entry and incorporate the theme through lights, decorations, costumes, music, or other creative elements.

4. Entry Information
Participants must provide accurate information about their entry, including the type of vehicle or float, dimensions, number of participants, and any special equipment or accommodations needed.

5. Parade Lineup
Parade positions will be assigned by the City of Thomaston. Participants may not change positions, merge with another entry, or move to another location in the lineup without approval from parade staff.

6. Arrival & Check-In
All participants must arrive during the designated parade check-in period and report to their assigned staging area. Detailed arrival instructions, staging information, and the parade lineup will be provided prior to the event.

7. Vehicle & Driver Requirements
All vehicles and motorized equipment must be operated by a responsible, licensed driver who is capable of safely operating the vehicle under parade conditions. Drivers must follow all instructions from parade officials and law enforcement.

8. Speed & Following Distance
All entries must maintain a slow, controlled speed appropriate for a parade. Participants must maintain a safe distance from the entry in front of them and must be prepared to stop at any time.

9. Motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs & Other Motorized Vehicles
All persons operating motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, or other motorized vehicles must comply with all applicable Georgia laws and parade safety requirements. Operators and passengers must follow any helmet or safety-equipment requirements applicable to their vehicle.

10. Passengers
Passengers may not ride on the exterior of vehicles, trailers, floats, or other equipment in a manner that creates a safety hazard. Participants must remain within designated seating or riding areas.

11. Floats & Trailers
All floats, trailers, and similar entries must be constructed and decorated in a manner that is safe for participants and spectators. Any person riding on a float or trailer must have a safe means of entering, exiting, and remaining on the float during the parade.

12. Candy & Giveaways
Participants may distribute candy or other small giveaways only in a manner that does not require spectators or children to enter the roadway. Participants may not throw items directly at spectators or throw items from moving vehicles.

13. Walking Participants
Walking groups must remain together and follow the instructions of parade officials. Participants should not allow children or other members of their group to fall behind or enter the roadway outside of their assigned parade space.

14. Animals
Animals must be appropriately trained, controlled, and safely incorporated into the parade entry. Participants bringing animals are responsible for their care, control, cleanup, and safety throughout the event. Draft animals must be fitted with a manure bag to ensure hygiene.

15. Music & Sound
Music and sound systems are welcome but must be maintained at a reasonable volume and may not contain profanity, explicit content, or material inappropriate for a family-oriented community event.

16. Decorations & Lighting
Electrical decorations and lighting must be safely installed. Generators, electrical cords, and other equipment must be secured and positioned to prevent tripping or other hazards.

17. Political & Commercial Content
Entries may not contain political campaign messaging, offensive material, profanity, or content that is inappropriate for a family-oriented Christmas event. Businesses are welcome to participate and promote their organization or business in an appropriate manner.

18. Alcohol & Drugs
The possession, consumption, or distribution of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs by parade participants is prohibited while participating in the parade or staging areas, except as otherwise expressly permitted by law and City policy.

19. Clean-Up
Participants are responsible for leaving their staging area clean and removing all decorations, trash, equipment, and other materials associated with their entry.

20. Early Departure
Participants must remain in the parade until they have reached the designated parade exit area. Entries may not leave the parade route early unless directed or approved by parade officials.

21. Safety & Instructions
All participants must follow instructions from City of Thomaston staff, parade officials, law enforcement, traffic control personnel, and emergency personnel. Failure to follow safety instructions may result in removal from the parade.

22. Right to Remove an Entry
The City of Thomaston reserves the right to remove any participant or entry from the parade or staging area if the participant violates these terms, creates a safety concern, behaves inappropriately, or fails to follow the instructions of parade officials.

23. Assumption of Risk & Release
Participation in the Christmas Lights Parade involves inherent risks associated with crowds, vehicles, floats, animals, weather, and other parade activities. By participating, the applicant acknowledges these risks and agrees to release and hold harmless the City of Thomaston, its employees, officials, volunteers, agents, and affiliated parties to the fullest extent permitted by law.

24. Agreement
Submission of this application constitutes acknowledgment that the applicant has read, understands, and agrees to comply with these Terms & Conditions and all additional instructions provided by the City of Thomaston.