Christmas Parade Application

This year, we’re going old school! The Oxford Hometown Christmas Parade is bringing back the charm of homemade floats, handmade decorations, twinkling lights, and the Christmas traditions that bring us together.

We invite businesses, churches, schools, and community groups to gather their crews and show us what “A Hometown Christmas” means to them. Build a float inspired by Christmases past, decorate a vehicle, or join us as a marching group or musical ensemble.

Bring your creativity, share your holiday spirit with families lining downtown Oxford’s streets, and help create memories that will last long after the parade!

OXFORD HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS PARADE

PARTICIPANT RULES AND AGREEMENT

Friday, December 4, 2026 | 6:30 p.m. | Oxford, North Carolina

These rules apply to every approved entry and its drivers, riders, walkers, performers, and support personnel. The applicant must provide a copy of rules to everyone participating with the entry.

PARTICIPATION AND LINEUP:

Participation requires an approved application and payment of the applicable entry fee: $25 for nonprofits, churches, dance groups, and Pageant Queens; $45 for businesses which will be charged upon the entry’s approval.

Applications are reviewed and the descriptions of your entry will be evaluated to ensure a good flow of the theme within the parade lineup. If you aren’t sure what your entry will look like, you can give a general description, but it must be close to what your application states. Submission does not guarantee acceptance. Registration deadline is November 27th.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PARADE:

1. Arrive at the assigned lineup location by the time stated in the acceptance instructions. Follow the assigned position and directions from parade personnel, law enforcement, and traffic personnel. Late arrivals may be reassigned or denied participation.
2. Decorate with parade theme “A Hometown Christmas.” Decorations, attire, music, and performances should convey an old fashioned Christmas style. This could be a display that features a special tradition or childhood memory, decorating style or a nativity. We aren’t looking for perfection, just adherence to the theme where possible for a cohesive parade experience.
3. At least 50% of each participating vehicle’s visible exterior must be decorated. Does not apply to vehicles pulling a float. This is mainly for any work vehicle that is listed solely as the entry. Please explain your idea for decorating on your application. Decorations must be secure and may not obstruct the driver’s view, required lights, license plate, or safe operation. A vehicle that does not meet this standard will not be admitted.

VEHICLES AND CONDUCT

1. Every vehicle must have current registration, active insurance and properly working equipment and must be operated by a licensed driver age 21 or older.
2. A modified vehicle, including one with a lift kit, must receive approval and pass an inspection before participating. An unsafe entry may be refused.
3. Drivers must maintain a safe speed and spacing, stay on the assigned route, and obey parade staff and law enforcement. Riders must remain safely positioned; no one may board or leave a moving vehicle.   
4. Riders or participants in the parade should maintain decorum with no cursing, bullying or otherwise offensive behavior. Violators will be removed immediately.
5. Business advertising is prohibited except on one vehicle specifically approved for that business or in the case of a sponsored float. Additional promotional vehicles, banners, signs, sales pitches, and displays are not permitted.   
6. Do not distribute coupons, pamphlets, flyers, or other promotional materials regarding your business.  Churches and non-profits may hand out flyers for any Christmas service or activities. No political statements of any form, shape or fashion are allowed.
7. CANDY MAY NOT BE THROWN OR HANDED OUT FROM A FLOAT OR VEHICLE. Violators will be removed immediately from the parade lineup and restricted from future participation.
8. Walkers may give candy only while within 2 feet of the crowd and safely separated from the moving parade entry for safety reasons.
9. The organizers may deny entry or remove an entry that fails to follow these rules or creates a safety concern. Entry representatives are responsible for the conduct of their participants.

ASSUMPTION OF RISK RELEASE AND INDEMNITY

The applicant understands that parade participation, lineup, travel, loading, unloading, and dispersal before, during, and after the event involve risks of injury, death, vehicle collision, property damage, and other loss. The applicant voluntarily assumes those risks for itself and agrees to inform its participants of them.

To the fullest extent permitted by North Carolina law, the applicant, on its own behalf, releases the City of Oxford and The Cathy Anna Collective, and their respective officers, employees, agents, volunteers, and representatives, from claims by the applicant arising from participation in the event, including claims based on ordinary negligence where such a release is enforceable. 

This provision does not waive any claim that cannot lawfully be waived.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the applicant agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless those parties from third party claims, damages, costs, and reasonable attorney fees arising from the applicant’s entry or its participants’ acts or omissions, except to the extent caused by the indemnified party’s own negligence, willful misconduct, or other conduct for which indemnity is prohibited by law. Nothing in these rules expands or waives any immunity or defense available to the City of Oxford under North Carolina law.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

By applying, I confirm that I am authorized to act for the entry, have read and agree to these rules, and will provide them to all participants. A parent or guardian must authorize each minor’s participation.