From Racine4thFest

The following pages are the rules and regulations for the parade. They have been established to make the parade safe and enjoyable for the participants and the spectators. Each member is a representative of your organization and must follow all of the rules.

Rules and Regulations

1. Units of political/controversial nature are not allowed. Only elected, incumbent officials whose constituents are Racine County residents are permitted in the parade.
2. All nocommerical entries will be charged $25.00 entry fee
3. Entries of commercial nature (business vehicles, vans, product displays, etc.) will be charged $125. Plus, a late entry fee of an additional $100 will be added if the application is received between June 1st and June 7th.
4. Commercial entries must be patriotic or display theme of parade.
5. Entries are to be at their designated line-up position by 8:00 AM and remain in their assigned position during the parade, unless instructed otherwise by a parade marshal or police officer.
6. Liability insurance and safety dictate that no objects may be thrown from or distributed by any parade entry. Encouraging spectators to enter the street could create a dangerous situation. Any parade entry participating in activities, which in the opinion of the Parade Marshal could endanger public safety, will be ejected from the parade. Such activities include, but are not limited to unsafe vehicle speed or operation, allowing spectators to climb on or off the entry during the parade, and distributing items to the spectators.
7. The parade is a family event, so no offensive language, song lyrics, clothing or gestures will be allowed. Volume of amplified music must be at a reasonable level as determined by the Parade Marshals or police officers.
8. Alcoholic beverages of any type cannot be consumed by parade participants during the parade or in the line-up area. Any participant who has been drinking alcohol will not be allowed to remain in the parade.

Float / Driver Information

1. All entries must attend the drivers meeting at THE MASONIC CENTER 1012 MAIN STREET. The meeting starts at 6:30 and will be approximately an hour and is mandatory. If you cannot attend, another responsible person from the organization can attend. At the meeting, the parade line up and numbers will be given out. The number must be securely attached to the front of the entry. If the number is not visible on the front of the entry, you will not be allowed to line up in the line-up area.
2. Review the route necessary to move float from building location to parade line-up area. Main Street and the route back for tree height. It is very important the float can pass through Racine City Streets.
3. Review the float to ensure the entry conforms to the description on the application.
4. Floats must be completed prior to reaching the check in point.
   1. All floats drawn by a motorized vehicle must use a proper hitching device. For example: pin hitch must have a safety pin hitch and safety chains are required on all trailers.
   2. All flatbeds/trailers are considered floats and must be decorated appropriately and the bed must be enclosed within 6" from the ground.
   3. If your float is self-propelled or has a gasoline-powered generator, you must have a minimum 2A19BC rated fire extinguisher.
   4. Exhaust pipes on self-propelled floats must terminate beyond the outer edge of the float.

Decorative material must not come in contact with the exhaust system.

1. All entries wishing to participate in the judging must pass in front of the judging stand before lining up in the lineup area (before 8:00 AM). Participants who need to be present for the judging will need to meet the driver and entry at the judging area prior to judging time.
2. If your entry is not being judged, meet your unit at the line-up spot. The line-up spot will be provided to your driver at the drivers meeting. You will have to be dropped off on Erie Street and walk to your assigned line-up area.
   1. Only cars that are registered and have Fourth Fest Numbers will be allowed into the line-up area. If physical limitations prevent you from walking from Erie Street to the line-up point, you will have to make arrangements to meet your unit BEFORE it enters the line-up area.
3. Floats should maintain a distance no greater than 100 feet behind the unit ahead. If the parade stops, fill the gap to 50 feet. Return to 100-foot spacing again when the parade starts moving.
   1. PLEASE KEEP MOVING. Any drill, dance or other step team should always be in a forward motion. Delays cause the participants and spectators to remain in the heat longer than necessary. Any entrant intentionally delaying the progress of the parade will be ejected.