Gardendale Christmas Parade ApplicationThursday, December 2, 2021, at 6 pmWe want everyone to be aware from the beginning of the process of signing up to participate in the parade that the throwing or giving out of candy or promotional items other than paper coupons will not be allowed during the parade by any participant this year. We tried a process last year to control the throwing of candy which a large majority of participants followed but it only takes a few to affect the many. An incident occurred at a previous year's parade that could have been a disaster for our community which required this decision. This is the content of an email that described the incident from the view of a long-time resident Marty Hawkins to our Mayor Stan Hogeland: Stan, this is Marty Hawkins. I didn’t know if you had heard about the little boy in front of AT&T that fell and rolled in front of a truck. I was the one who pulled him away from the wheel. His head was inches from the tire. I felt you would want to know about it if you haven’t heard already. He was around five years old and his young parents were not watching him like they should have been. With candy everywhere in the street, he ran out as a large 4-wheel drive jacked up truck was approaching. I saw him and went after him. As he bent down to get the candy, he stumbled and rolled in front of the driver's side front wheel. Just as he rolled, I was able to grab the back of his jacket and jerk him back. Others ran out behind me and I guess with the commotion the driver stopped. He calmly asked if he had hit the child. There was no contact, but I truly believe the boy would have been run over. It was that close. Maybe we need to reevaluate throwing candy. Other than that incident another great parade. We are planning on having a candy parade (a single vehicle) at the beginning of the parade about ten minutes before the parade begins in lieu of the fireworks display. We hope you understand why this decision was made and will still want to be a part of our awesome parade.Agreement of Terms* I acknowledge that I have read and understand the rules above.Gardendale Christmas 2019 Parade Rules (Please read ALL rules carefully)1. JUDGING*•CREATIVITY WITH THEME and LIGHTING of your entry (not the theme of the parade). • Entries will be judged for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd places. • Judges will be located at the white lighthouse building next to City Hall. • Hang parking Decal on rearview with the number facing forward. Your parking decal number is used for Judging purposes. It is not your parade line up number. I Acknowledge2. NO SANTA IMPERSONATORS*• Anyone Dressed as Santa will kindly be asked to leave the parade. • Only 1 santa will be in the Gardendale Christmas Parade. I Acknowledge3. Parade entries must be in the Parking lots by 5:15*• Streets will be blocked off and closed at 5:40. • Parade Begins at 6PM I Acknowledge4. Parking: Only parade entries will be allowed in the GHS parking lot*Drop off for parade participants will be on Grubbs Avenue in the parking lot across from Gardendale First Baptist. I Acknowledge5. 18 wheelers or long trailers*• MUST HAVE 3 people walking on each side of entry. • 18 wheelers will be lined up on Mt. Olive Rd. between the High School and First Baptist Church parking lot and will be fed into the parade. I Acknowledge6. ONLY CHRISTMAS MUSIC CAN BE PLAYED FROM FLOATS/VEHICLES* I Acknowledge7. No stunt vehicles allowed* I Acknowledge8. NO ATV'S* I Acknowledge9. NO remote control cars allowed* I Acknowledge10. Horses*• Horses must be kept together at all times-NO EXCEPTIONS; • Horses are REQUIRED to wear Manure Bag(s); • Each horse must have a handler at ALL times; • Horses that are easily spooked are not allowed due to the fireworks that precede the parade. I Acknowledge11. ** All entries at the end of the parade will pull back into the GHS parking lot and unload.* I Acknowledge12. Each float/participant must have a Parking Lot Decal pass with their participant number in order to get into the parking lots the night of the parade* I Acknowledge13. Safety Arm Band*• participants 7 and under are encouraged to wear arm bands that include the Name of Child & an onsite Contact Number I Acknowledge14. Please do not leave space between your float/vehicle and the person in front of you. This causes gaps throughout the parade and potentially causes a backup at the beginning and end of the parade.* I Acknowledge15. NO RECKLESS DRIVING.* I Acknowledge16. Each parade application must include:*1. An invoice for entry fee will be sent after application is received (payment can be made via check or credit card). 2. Copy of Liability Insurance Card for each entry in Parade. 3. Copy of valid Driver’s License for person driving the vehicle. I Acknowledge17. A representative from each entry MUST attend the mandatory meeting on November 18, 2021 at 6:00 PM at Gardendale City Hall (925 Main Street)* I AcknowledgeName / Organization*Name* First Last Title / Position*Address* Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Phone*Email* Preferred Method of Contact:* Phone EmailWill your vehicle be playing music?* Yes NoWill your float have children participating?* Yes NoType of Entry**MUST HAVE 2 people walking in front of each entry and 18 wheelers MUST HAVE an additional 2 walkers along each side of the trailer. Truck & Trailer Car *Number of People in entryNumber marching/walkingSize/Length of entry Description of Entry*Copy of Driver's License*We need a copy of the Driver's License for driver(s) for each entry (vehicle). Scan and send this to us here.Max. file size: 256 MB.Copy of Liability Insurance Card*We need a copy of liability insurance card for each entry (vehicle). Scan and send this to us here.Max. file size: 256 MB.Entry Fee - Click Button Below to Pay NowFREE (Chamber Members, schools, churches, charities) $50 (Non-Chamber members, businesses, for-profit organizations) per vehicleThe Gardendale Chamber of Commerce & the City of Gardendale assumes no liability, either to person or property, or injury or damages resulting from entrant’s participation in this parade, Promotion or event. Entrant assumes responsibility for the safe design, construction, and operation of the entry. The Chamber has the right to refuse any entry deemed inappropriate or unsuitable by a majority of the Chamber Board of Directors.Agreement of Terms* I acknowledge that I have read and understand the foregoing condition of entry and attached parade rules.Signature*Click Here to Pay Entry Fee for Non-Members ($50)
