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Who May Participate - Our two hour parade is open
to participation by all interested individuals and groups, but we reserve the right
to exclude any individual or group not complying with the spirit of the celebration
such as inappropriate clothing, performance, drinking, drugs or unduly delaying
the progress of the parade. Stopping to perform at the reviewing stand - Please keep in mind that this is a parade, not a queue leading to a stage in front of the reviewing stand. If your group wants to perform, it must keep moving while doing so. Also, you should realize that people all along the parade route want to see your group in action. On the other hand, stopping to perform causes gaps in the parade, which are discourteous to the participants behind you who have to wait and to the spectators who must also wait. Large gaps have in the past caused the spectators to leave, believing the parade had finished, which is totally unfair to the groups who follow. Groups who cause such problems may be prohibited from future participation in the parade. Rain Dates - The fireworks will be held on the first clear evening after the scheduled date. The parade has no rain date because it is impossible to reassemble all the volunteers, participants, spectators and vendors, and to obtain the necessary permits and the assistance of the police and other government departments. Throwing candy, etc. - Parade participants are not allowed to throw candy or other things to people viewing the parade. We do not want to encourage kids to run into the parade route where they may be injured. Distribution by people walking along the curb is OK. Distribution of any kind of political literature, fans, balloons, etc. from the parade is not allowed, but is OK if done on the sidewalk ONLY if nowhere near the politician to whom it refers. |
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Application |
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Show Prizes |
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The panel of parade judges consists of a diverse group of Takoma Park residents, business owners, and other individuals affiliated with Takoma Park.
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 This
stand on the grounds of the Deauville Apartments near the end of the parade route
and is there to distribute free water to participants in the parade. |
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The
grand marshal is the honorary head of the parade. This is a person the Committee
has selected for their service to the community, a significant achievement, or other
noteworthy accomplishment.
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Dignitaries
are the invited guests of the City. Those who hold elected office are all incumbents.
These are the people we have chosen to represent us. Office seekers are not allowed
in the parade since we want to have a celebration, not a political campaign.
Dignitaries are
invited because this is a perfect opportunity to
see many of their constituents. However, this city celebration is not intended to
be a campaign-related activity. To that end, we do NOT allow campaign staff to march
in the street. They may hand out literature to spectators along the sidewalks
away from the street if this can be done unobtrusively. We strongly urge our dignitaries to
refrain from having large numbers of staff wearing t-shirts, carrying signs and
chanting campaign slogans as they walk along the sidelines adjacent to the parade.
We request other parade participants who are given campaign related material to avoid displaying it during the parade.
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These
cars are provided by Potomac Classic Thunderbird Club members and individual owners
of antique and newer cars who volunteer their time and vehicles to help with the
parade and for the pleasure of the viewers.
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Dignitaries,
other invited guests, and parade car drivers are issued a special pass for entry
into the parking lots at the library, Municipal Building and Piney Branch Elementary
School. Other participants need to arrive early and find parking near the assembly
area for their divisions, or have someone drop off several of the group at the assembly
area and then find parking.
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The
reviewing stand is provided for the dignitaries and invited guests who ride in the
parade to watch the parade in the shade.
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About 1.25 miles |
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30 to 45 minutes |