Parade Registration Information

Parade Day Information

The parade begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 28, 2024, before the Bobcats’ Homecoming football game vs. the University of Akron (time TBD). It is critical that we have cooperation from all participating members of the parade to make the parade run smoothly.

The parade will take place rain or shine! In the event of severe weather, a parade staff member will notify the contact person listed on the entry form via phone and/or email.

Check in will start at 8 a.m. at the Russ Research Opportunity Center (formerly named West Union Street Office Complex) parking lot (lot 154)

Register to be in the Parade

Parade Entry Guidelines

Participants must follow safety requirements set forth by the Ohio University Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) department (requirements below). All floats must be fully constructed by Saturday, Sept. 28th, 2024, at 8 a.m. so Parade staff can do a thorough inspection of your float that day. Someone from your group will need to be present at this time to answer questions and provide samples of construction materials. Incomplete floats will not be inspected and will not be eligible for parade participation.

You will need a basic description of the float. There is a section on the entry form for this purpose. Please limit these descriptions to 250 words.

*The Center for Student Engagement and Leadership (CSEL) reserves the right to deny any entry based on the description.

Floats

Float construction must feature the following dimensions:

• Height – 8.5 feet (above flatbed), Width – 8 feet, and Length – 45 feet.
• All floats must be secured by a strong metal hitch.
• All organizations are required to recycle float materials immediately following the parade.

Banners

The banner you use should be approximately the size of a twin bed sheet (39” x 75”. Materials can include, but are not limited to, paints, glitter, fabric, etc. Your group will walk with the banner in the parade. One vehicle is permitted in the parade to accompany the group’s banner entry.

Competition Compliance Agreement

The rules and guidelines set forth in this registration entry govern the participation of competing groups, commercial entries, political candidates, and other parade entries. By participating in the parade, the entrant acknowledges that these requirements has been read and understood. Your group agrees to comply with all the rules, regulations, and guidelines concerning the 2024 Homecoming Parade Float and Banner competitions.

I/we understand that disregard for any of the rules and regulations will result in removal from the Homecoming Parade as well as forfeiture of any monetary prize awarded to your organization and any entry fees. I/we, as group representative(s), understand the changes made to this year’s Homecoming Parade rules and I/we agree to abide by these rules.

This deadline to enter the parade is Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, by 11:59 PM. All entries must be submitted online through the form (forthcoming). I/we understand that if we miss this deadline, we may be prevented from participating in the parade. Late entries will NOT be considered.

Disposal and Recycling

We are proud of Ohio University’s commitment to recycling and community responsibility. Salvageable materials are redistributed throughout the community to non-profit groups for beneficial use. 

Following Homecoming weekend, all materials must be thoroughly dismantled, and all salvageable materials should be disposed of immediately following the parade. All waste materials must be discarded in proper dumpsters or by other legal methods. Salvageable materials should be stored in a neat manner to not create a hazard. Groups are required to recycle unwanted materials.

If you have questions regarding recycling, contact the Campus Recycling Office at 740.593.0231 or email recycle@ohio.edu.

All groups are required to recycle unwanted materials. Recycling will occur immediately following the parade itself

Safety Requirements for Floats and Banners

All participants should be aware of general safety and injury prevention methods associated with float construction. In accordance with a City of Athens ordinance, you are prohibited from using flammable decorative materials. In addition, University policy concerning decorative materials, house decorations, and float construction includes:

• During construction, combustible supplies and materials used to construct or decorate floats such as cardboard, paper products, and paints) must be stored away from all heat sources. They should not block fire exits.
• The construction site should be well lit for night activities. Please continually check the surrounding area for nails, wood scraps, and lumber with protruding staples, nails, etc. If you are using electric power tools and the weather is damp, use a ground fault disrupter receptacle to avoid electric shock or significant injury. These can be purchased at most hardware stores.
• To ensure the safety of parade participants and the public, towing vehicles larger than vans, pick-ups, and sport utility vehicles will not be permitted in the parade. If your vehicle is questionable concerning these guidelines, please ask the Center for Student Engagement and Leadership for approval of the vehicle in the parade.
• Vehicle to float connection: float safety connection must be a secure process, such matched hitch and ball set up mounted to vehicle frame, pintle hitch mounted to vehicle frame, or a fifth wheel mount set up also mounted to vehicle frame. Safety chains are needed to connect the vehicle and float.
• If horses are used to pull the float, make sure that they are always under control, and you clean up after them. Wagons should not be pulled by “human power” because hills can present special concerns for safety.
• Floats must be structurally sound and safely designed. The main platform must not have holes or hollow areas where someone could fall through.
• All standing people must have something to hold onto (i.e., a railing, pole, handle, etc.) or they must be always seated. Railing must be at least 42” height and be able to support 200 pounds of pressure. Must have an access opening to walk in and out without a trip hazard. Opening no less than 24” and stay closed while in the parade.
• Seating must be secured to prevent injury.
• There shall be no exposed nail heads, staples, chicken wire ends, etc. in areas where they will be in contact with people. Use proper nail lengths or bend the ends.
• Select the right materials. Purchase only materials that are flame resistant. Materials such as flame-resistant crepe paper, foil, etc. can be purchased. Check the materials to make sure that they have been labeled as flame resistant. Do not use facial tissue-type paper, straw, dry plant materials, or folders.
• If carbon dioxide extinguishers are used for creating smoke, there should be ventilation.
• Good visibility for the driver must always be maintained. An adequate unrestricted view should be maintained. Do not obstruct any view with smoke.
• Any electrical cords must be professionally installed, protected, and in good repair.
• A fire extinguisher must be provided on each float. A fully charged, minimum rating of 10 ABC type fire extinguisher should be purchased specifically for this purpose. Do not remove extinguishers from residence halls or Greek houses.
• No decorations may be placed on lights or around heating and electrical equipment. No open flames such as kerosene lamps or candles are permitted.
• All generators cannot be on floats due to carbon monoxide, heat, electrical, and flammable liquid (fuel)
• Tires on float need to show tread to prevent side slippage on brick streets and must maintain air pressure to carry load.
• Safety blocks for tires must be provided on each float. Scrap wood from float construction should be sufficient. However, make sure the blocks are large enough to hold the float on a significant incline.
• We discourage people from riding inside vehicles that rest underneath a float. If this is done, the design of the float should emphasize protection for anyone who will be riding underneath or on the inside during the parade. This would include:
  • Providing emergency exits–doors or windows should be able to open immediately.
  • Ample ventilation for removal of exhaust – exhaust pipes should be in good repair and discharge to the outside of the float.
• Any decorations or debris falling off the floats should be picked up by the organization and not left to litter campus, city, or county roads.
• Participants on float must always keep extremities inside the railing to prevent possibility of injury.
• Alcoholic beverages are not permitted to be on floats.

For additional safety information, please contact Environmental Health and Safety at 740.597.1748.

Parade Staff Contact Information