The Morgan Hill 4th of July Parade and the ten other events presented by the volunteers of the not-for-profit Morgan Hill Independence Day Celebrations, Inc. (I.D.I.) are designed for wholesome family entertainment. They remind us of our National Heritage and help us express our individual feelings of patriotism and thankfulness for the Freedoms which we have inherited.
The exciting, safe, and friendly environment of the Parade over the last 114 years is what makes each year's Parade the largest Morgan Hill social event of the year. To make sure that this great event continues another century, here are some simple rules and procedures which we all must support and follow. They are important enough that you should take a moment to review them and share them with everyone related to your parade group. In addition to these general rules, there are supplemental rules for businesses, clowns, equestrians, floats, and vehicles.
General Information
for All Entries
- The Morgan Hill July 4, 2008 parade will begin at 9:00am with the exciting "Cruise the Parade Route" featuring vintage and collector cars.
- At 10:00 Sharp the celebration continues. Each unit must complete the entire Parade route from and back to its unit staging area before disbanding. See "Important Parade Times" at the end of these rules.
- Your entry should be designed for family entertainment. Decorate or costume participants for the 2008 theme "Celebrating The Many Faces of America" or for our annual Heritage Theme, Celebrating our Country's Independence and Freedoms. See the "Judging" section for more on the judging of entries.
- This is a Forward Motion Parade, so perform on the move. There will be no stopping to perform anywhere, but if the parade is stalled, of course it is OK to perform while waiting for it to move forward. Start moving forward again as soon as the unit ahead of you moves forward. If a unit breaks down, pass them by. Maintain a maximum interval of less than 50 feet. Don't lag further behind. Please follow the directions of the Parade Marshals.
- Parade identification numbers must be displayed on the unit’s front right hand side so the announcers and judges can identify the unit as it approaches and before it reaches the announcing stands.
- Groups or individuals wishing to distribute anything along the parade route must pay an additional $50 clean-up fee with their entry.
SAFETY for ALL Entries and Persons
- No alcoholic beverages in the staging area or in or around the parade route by participants or spectators per local municipal laws.
- Nothing may be thrown or tossed along the parade route – it may be handed to spectators.
- Non-gummy candy may be HANDED to children along the edge of the parade by a unit's designated walker(s). (The Health Department has determined that gummy candy presents a choking hazard to young children.)
- Any device that projects water, foam, or the like is not allowed by participants or spectators. (Parents and adult chaperones may cool off children in their unit with water misting bottles.)
- All living things on a moving entry must be secured. No one is allowed to be on a running board, hood, roof, or fender. Remember to maintain control of animals at all times.
- If children under 18 are in the parade, adult chaperones must walk alongside and supervise. (These "walkers" must wear matching or patriotic clothing, or carry an American flag as a "unit member i.d."
- No firearms may be fired, no open flames allowed, and all vehicles and floats MUST have a legal 2A-10BC rated (or larger) fire extinguisher on board. Decorations must be flame resistant.
Equestrian Entries
The California State Horseman's Association Parade Rules are to be followed, as well as directions of the CSHA Judge and the Parade Marshals. Equestrians are responsible for knowing what the CSHA Rules are. If you don't have a copy please call the Parade Committee at (408) 779-3387, and request one.
Rules for Political Entries
Because the I.D.I., Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization, no partisan political activity is allowed in the Parade. Elected officials serving Santa Clara County may participate with identifying car door signs with their name and current office. Officially filed "Candidates for Office" may also participate with signs identifying their name and "candidate for . . . (office being sought.)" No political campaigning or advertising is allowed.
Judging
- Judging of all units other than equestrian is done by professionals of the Pacific Coast Judges Association. Care in the entry's preparation, consistency of theme, community involvement, decorating, personnel, and costuming are all considered by the Judges. Chairpersons, escorts, and group chaperones must be appropriately costumed or points will be deducted from the unit's score.
- Judged competition performance takes place in the 100 feet in front of the judge’s grandstand on Dunne Avenue near the end of the parade. Stopping to perform is not allowed in this Parade. (Prior to the Judges Stand there are 3 Announcing Stands. Watch ahead and plan to be performing as you pass!)
- The decision of the Professional Judges is final.
Role and Responsibilities of the Parade Chairperson
- The Chairperson is in complete charge of the parade and reserves the right to edit comments submitted, accept, reject, reclassify, disqualify, have removed from the Parade, or suspend from participation any unit which does not follow the Parade Rules or decisions, or for not following the directions of the Parade Marshals.
- These Rules and related information have been developed in the hope that the Parade will be fun, safe, patriotic, and a reflection of the Community we love so much. Please do your part in seeing that we all meet those expectations.
Other Important Information
for you
- 8:00 - Parade vehicles, floats, and equestrian units to be in their numbered staging spaces.
- 8:00 - A unit representative needs to sign-in at registration and get unit identification number,
participants’ souvenir ribbons, etc. Other participants may arrive as late as 9:00.
- 8:00 - "Unmarked" Judges begin their
"Prejudging Notes" of floats and vehicles in the
staging area.
- 9:00 - Vehicles "Cruise the Parade Route" begins.
- 9:00 - Latest time for all other participants to join you in your numbered staging space.
- 9:30 - Parade units begin moving forward into parade position. Starting at 4th Street and Depot Streets, units will establish their 50 feet maximum interval gap and maintain this gap throughout the parade.
- 10:00 - The Parade continues!
- 12ish - The downtown "After the Parade Party" and the Centennial Car Show begins.
- 2:00 - Awards ceremony will be at the Grange Hall, 40 East 4th Street.
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