2013 BASIC RULES & REGULATIONS

Thank you for your interest in participating in the Carolinas' Carrousel Parade. All entries are by Invitation of the Carrousel Board of Directors. To ensure that our parade is the best it can be, please adhere to the following guidelines and keep in mind that we seek entries that:

  • Are colorful, entertaining and display community achievement and pride;
  • Represent the best the Carolinas have to offer, such as sports, tourism, health, prosperity, entertainment and/or the arts;
  • Promote worthy causes in a creative, crowd-pleasing way;
  • Exemplify the wide cultural diversity of the region;
  • Present an attractive, cohesive, coordinated group appearance.

The Carrousel board reserves the right to refuse entries that will be disruptive, overly loud, unruly or lacking a theme, cause or family-friendly message.

Participant Categories

Parade participants fall into the following categories:

  • Floats
  • Marching Bands
  • Special Units
  • Step/Drill Teams

See below for details about each category.

Floats
Floats fall into two categories
(1) Sponsored and selected from floats available for rent through Carolinas’ Carrousel

To receive information on our sponsorship opportunities, Email info@carrouselparade.org.

OR

(2) Self-Built – design must be submitted to parade committee for consideration and approval

To submit a Self-Built float design for consideration, use our Data Sheet to provide specific details with a photo and/or sketch.


Contact Carolinas’ Carrousel if you are interested in having a float custom-built for your company or organization. Design must be approved prior to float construction. Allow a minimum of six months for construction.

All floats must be self-propelled or towed by towing units approved by the parade committee. If float is rented through Carolinas’ Carrousel, a towing vehicle will be provided, unless other arrangements are requested.

Floats may feature the sponsor's designated participants or selected Carrousel celebrities, depending on the sponsorship level.

Floats cannot exceed 13.5 feet in height or 16 feet in width. Maximum length of the unit including towing vehicle cannot exceed 55 feet.

 

Marching Bands
Professional, community and school (high school and college) marching bands are welcome to participate in the parade. All bands are eligible for awards in their size category (A to AAAA); however, only high school bands will be scored for the Spirit of Carrousel Award, which designates the parade’s Honor Band for the following year. See Marching Band Rules and Regulations for additional details.

All Marching Band members must be in uniform. In addition, persons who accompany the marching band, e.g., boosters, parents, escorts, etc., must wear an article of clothing such as a sweatshirt, jacket, sash, etc., that identifies them as part of that unit. This presents a cohesive and coordinated group appearance for the benefit of spectators and television audiences.

 

Special Units
This category offers an excellent opportunity to let your creativity show. Please complete a Data Sheet and provide a photo or artist’s rendering of your proposed entry for consideration.

Included in this category are:

  • Costumed characters and mascots
  • “Walking units,” such as clowns, sports teams, dancers, etc.
  • *Dignitaries, celebrities and visiting queens riding in open vehicles or decorated cars (see below).
    • Note: We limit participation by pageant winners to only those pageants with which Carrousel has a reciprocal agreement, i.e., the Azalea, Rhododendron and Dogwood Festivals and the Miss Mecklenburg County and NC Outstanding Teen organizations.
  • Horses, dogs and other tame animals accompanied by human handlers.
  • “Specialty vehicles,” such as antique cars, fire engines, carriages, race cars, etc.
  • Car clubs and motorcycle clubs

Members of walking or marching special units must wear costumes or uniforms to identify them as part of that unit. In addition, persons who accompany the special unit, e.g., boosters, parents, escorts, etc., must wear an article of clothing such as a sweatshirt, jacket, sash, etc., that identifies them as part of that unit. This presents a cohesive and coordinated group appearance for the benefit of spectators and television audiences.

*Decorated Cars/Vehicles
Decorated cars/vehicles are defined as those vehicles used for business or personal transportation and not specifically designed for parade or trade show use. Street cars or vehicles decorated for "advertising purposes only" are not permitted.

Decorated cars will not be permitted other than for invited distinguished/celebrity guests, government officials, and representatives of those festivals with which we have reciprocal appearance agreements.

Drivers of cars/vehicles in the parade must maintain forward motion unless instructed otherwise by parade officials. This includes instances when passengers in the car are being interviewed on-air during the parade broadcast. Stopping impedes the progress and pacing of the parade.

Step Units/Drill Teams/ Community Marching Groups
The parade committee makes the selection of units from applications and demo tapes provided by all interested groups. Groups must use the Step/Drill Team form to apply. All members of any marching unit must be at least 10 years of age. (See Step Unit/Drill Team Rules and Regulations)

Members of step units, drill teams or community marching groups must wear costumes or uniforms to identify them as part of that unit. In addition, persons who accompany these groups, e.g., boosters, parents, escorts, etc., must wear an article of clothing such as a sweatshirt, jacket, sash, etc., that identifies them as part of that group. This presents a cohesive and coordinated group appearance for the benefit of spectators and television audiences.

Parade Drivers
All drivers must have a valid driver’s license and be at least 18 years old.

GENERAL RULES

Signs/Banners
Each participating unit must carry an identifying sign or banner in the parade. Signs and banners must be professionally produced. The sign or banner tells uptown spectators who you are and helps the television viewing audience identify you as you appear along the parade route.

Distribution of Items on Parade Day
Absolutely nothing can be thrown from cars or floats. Sponsors wishing to distribute gifts, merchandise, literature or other items along the line of march must have adequate personnel to "hand" the items to spectators individually and must have written permission of the Parade Committee.

Performance Expectations
All performances must be in good taste compatible with the Carolinas' Carrousel's mission to enhance our community life through quality family-oriented entertainment and the promotion of academic and artistic excellence. Routines and/or expressions of a lewd, obscene nature are expressly prohibited. Likewise, actions portraying violent, abusive and/or offensive behavior are not appropriate.

All units must maintain forward motion. Counter marching, reverse marching, and/or stopping the forward motion of the parade without specific instructions to do so from a parade official will not be permitted and will be grounds for removal. Vehicles must also maintain forward motion unless parade officials instruct otherwise. Marshals will be present along the parade route to monitor pacing. Instructions from these marshals must be followed.

All members of any marching/walking unit must be at least 10 years of age.

Insurance Requirements
All entrants must provide evidence of current Comprehensive General Liability Insurance including Contractual Liability (Limits of $1,000,000 Bodily Injury and Property Damage combined in an insurance company with a Best's rating of A or A+ is a minimum requirement). If you do not have liability insurance coverage, your insurance agency can advise you on securing “event insurance” to cover your participation in the parade. Entries lacking insurance will not be considered or allowed in the parade.

Release and Indemnity
All entrants must sign and return a provided release and indemnity statement agreeing to indemnify Carolinas' Carrousel, Inc., its officers, directors and employees and hold them harmless with respect to all defenses that they shall be required to make in connection with any claim or action arising out of the participants involvement with the parade and/or other festival activities.

Parade Participation Pricing
Entry fees for participation in the parade are as follows. Sponsorship packages are presented with this fee included. For more information, see Parade Participation Pricing sheet.
>Self built floats - $1,000
>*Basic floats – For-profit businesses: $3,000; Non-profits: $2,000**

*Floats carrying Carrousel Reps can be sponsored for $1,500.

Floats with sponsor-specific décor design available at an additional fee. See sponsorship package for details.

>Marching Bands (other than High School Bands) -- $50.

>Novelty and Special Units – For profit businesses: $750; Non-profits: $375.**

>Special Units featuring theatrical/performing arts groups -- $200.

>Special units featuring international cultural groups -- $200.

>Step Unit/Drill Teams/Community Marching Groups -- $50.

**501 (c) 3 tax ID # must be provided

Entry fees are non-refundable.

Application Deadlines for Participation
Floats:  Tuesday, October 15
Special Units and Marching Bands:  Wednesday, October 9
Step Units & Drill Teams:  Monday, October 21

Information must be submitted to the parade office in hard copy. The total number of units in the parade is limited. Please note that we encourage submission of information prior to listed deadlines. Carolinas’ Carrousel, Inc. reserves the right to reject an application for participation based upon failure to comply with the above participation guidelines.