The Board and Staff of Tulip Time invite you to apply for participation in the Festival parades. In selecting parade participants, the Parade Committee looks to maintain a balance of corporate, civic and non-profit entries. Additionally, we are looking for unique, high quality, colorful entries with a great deal of visual appeal and which also entertain the spectators. Ideally, these entries would also pay tribute to Dutch culture, Dutch heritage and the tulip. Review the following guidelines and complete an application online (after January 2, 2018) at www.tuliptime.com/parades, submitting the application fee ($100 for first parade, $50 for each additional parade). NOTE: 501c(3) non-profit organizations, bands, military groups and government agencies are exempt from paying the application fee. This application fee is non-refundable once the entry has been accepted by the Parade Committee. All new entries and entries that have changed since your last Tulip Time appearance must include a photo or sketch of the entry when submitting the application.

DEADLINES All applications must be received at the Tulip Time office by February 6, 2018. A late fee of $25 will be charged for ALL applications submitted after February 6, 2018 and will only be reviewed if space allows. Applicants will be notified in writing of their acceptance or rejection by February 28, 2018. In the event an application is denied, the applicant may request reconsideration by written request given to the Parade Committee no later than fifteen (15) days after the date that the initial decision was made, and no later than April 13, 2018, whichever comes first. Please fill out the application completely, and in detail, to help determine your acceptance, placement in parade, and media coverage. Any changes made after approval of the application must be submitted to the Parade Committee for final acceptance.

Parade Guidelines

Wednesday, May 9, 2018 2pm

Thursday, May 10, 2018 2pm

(Rain Date: May 11, 2018 2pm)

Saturday, May 12, 2018 2pm

IMPORTANT: Parade entries should promote and align with Festival purposes. The Festival

celebrates and commemorates the Dutch heritage of the area, and the tulip as a cultural icon for the

area. The Festival’s activities also serve to promote tourism and local commerce. Consequently,

entries are expected to promote the area’s heritage and the tulip, educate the community on Dutch

traditions and observances, and promote tourism and local commerce. Entries are not expected to

be perceived as controversial and possibly negatively affect any of the purposes of the Festival,

including tourism and local commerce. A decision on whether to accept an entry will be based on

overall consideration of both the positive and possible negative effects on the purposes of the

Festival. Parade entries will comply with the guidelines that follow. The Parade Committee reserves

the right to determine if entry applications are in the best interest of Tulip Time. Any parade-day

deviations from the originally accepted application, violations of the stated guidelines or

inappropriate behavior could result in your unit’s exclusion from the parade.

GENERAL GUIDELINES 1. Each unit must maintain a forward momentum with no slowing, stopping or performing en route, unless previously approved by the Parade Committee. Distance between units must be maintained (approximately 40-45 ft. or three car lengths). PLEASE NOTE that the parades maintain a brisk pace, and your group must be prepared to maintain that pace for the duration of the parade. 2. All entries should incorporate a Dutch or tulip theme. ▪ Exceptions for unique entries with strong visual appeal OR for entries which engage with and entertain spectators are made by the Parade Committee. ▪ All persons participating MUST be in Dutch costume, uniform dress, or match the theme of the entry and type of dress must be outlined on the application. 3. NO HANDOUTS and NO ITEMS thrown along the parade route or in the assembly/dispersal areas. (EXCEPTION: Pre-Parade Passes will be granted to a limited number of organizations on each parade day. These organizations will be able to hand out items along the parade route during specified hours PRIOR to the parade start time. To apply for a Pre-Parade Pass, indicate your interest on the Parade Application available January 2, 2018.) 4. Identification banners / signage must accompany each unit. (Banners will be limited to one per group with the exception of the Parade Sponsor.) 5. Entries which are primarily issue oriented, either directly or indirectly, or which are intended pri-marily for individual or organizational gain, will not be accepted. In determining whether an entry is primarily issue oriented, factors which shall be considered include, but are not limited to, whether a substantial part of the activities of the organization or its affiliates is (1) attempting to influence legis-lation; or (2) participating in or intervening in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for a public office; or (3) advocating issues that function as political campaign intervention; or (4) carrying on propaganda; or (5) publishing or distributing written statements or making oral statements on be-half of or in opposition to any candidate for a public office. The parade committee reserves the right, in the exercise of its judgment, to determine whether an entry is in the best interest of the Fes-tival. 6. Currently elected and past public officials are eligible to participate in the parade as “public servants.” ▪ No form of campaign promotion is permitted. ▪ Tulip Time will provide signage for invited elected officials. ▪ One entry per political party is also allowed but it must not promote a single issue or candidate (see #5 above).

GENERAL GUIDELINES (CONT.) 7. If music or sound is used, it must be stated on the application and volume must be adjustable. 8. Animal units should have prior parade experience, verification that the animals are parade safe, and a clean-up crew. Horse riders must sign the Tulip Time Equestrian Agreement. Participat-ing dogs must be up-to-date on their Rabies vaccine, be licensed and be on a leash. 9. Helium parade balloons must not exceed 30 feet long/high by 15 feet wide. ▪ Balloons will not be operated in winds in excess of 23 mph or gusts of more than 34 mph. ▪ Balloon handlers must be 18 years or older, physically capable and in Dutch costume or uniform dress (e.g. matching t-shirts/hats with your organization’s logo, etc.). ▪ See www.fabulousinflatables.com for ideas on sponsoring a giant helium balloon or unique cold-air inflatable. 10. The maximum number of people on the parade route with each entry should not exceed 20; exceptions will be made by the Parade Committee. 11. The Tulip Time Festival’s Board of Directors sponsors an entry competition for the Muziekparade to recognize unique entries with strong visual appeal, Dutch themes, tulip-usage, etc. Entries must be in the staging area by 12:00 p.m. on May 12 to be judged. All entry participants should be present for judging.

WALKING UNIT GUIDELINES 1. Mascots must ride in an approved vehicle for the Muziekparade (see Vehicle Guidelines), unless otherwise approved by the Parade Committee. 2. Participants of walking units in the Muziekparade must be a minimum of 10 years old; there is no minimum age for the Volksparade and Kinderparade. 3. Walking units in the Muziekparade may NOT include wagons, strollers, scooters, etc. without re-ceiving prior permission from the Parade Committee. 4. Walking units must be preceded by a professionally-made banner identifying the unit, with a salute to Tulip Time.

VEHICLE GUIDELINES Please Note: Entrants should make arrangements for obtaining an appropriate vehicle prior to submitting their application. Please include a photo of the vehicle with your application if yours is a new entry. 1. Vehicles in the parade are restricted to those used for pulling a float, convertibles (five years old or newer), antique/classic cars (20 years old or older), or noticeably unique vehicles. ▪ Corporate vehicles are not permitted unless they meet the above criteria. 2. All parade vehicles must be CLEAN, in good running condition, mechanically sound and no older than five years (with the exception of antique/classic cars). ▪ Vehicles that fail to meet these standards are subject to immediate removal from the parade, including vehicles pulling floats. 3. Vehicle entries must provide their own manufactured signs for the vehicle (magnetic signs or adhesive “clings” are encouraged). The sign should state a salute to Tulip Time. 4. All riders/mascots must remain in their vehicle throughout the entire parade, and be prepared for convertible tops to be put up if poor weather conditions arise. 5. Note that participating in a parade often means that your vehicle will be “idling” for many minutes at a time. This can be difficult for motorcycles, classic cars, etc. and should be considered when deciding to enter the parade.

FLOAT GUIDELINES 1. All floats will be provided with approximately one dozen 10” diameter pots of live tulips (subject to availability). Applicants are encouraged to supply additional tulips if the size of the entry allows it. 2. Floats must be skirted, and all objects should be completely decorated in floral sheeting or its equivalent. Go to www.blossomtimefestival.org or www.victorycorps.com for parade and float supplies, if needed. 3. Tulip Time requests that floats be at least 16 feet in length and requires that they not exceed 12 1/2 feet in height. 4. Floats can be built by your group or rented/purchased from any reputable float builder. Please keep in mind the possibility of poor weather conditions when selecting your building materials. Please note: before starting any float, confirm your parade acceptance. 5. Floats must be equipped with a three-pound, ABC general purpose fire extinguisher. 6. Riders are not allowed to leave their float once the float is put in motion by the Parade Marshal. 7. Each float must have its own driver and own tow vehicle; no riders will be permitted in the back of the tow vehicle. Tow vehicle must not be more than five years old, and must be clean and in good running order.

KINDERPARADE GUIDELINE 1. Applicants for this parade should be child- or family-oriented organizations.

FIREARMS GUIDELINES 1. In order to promote the safety and well-being of parade attendees/participants, firearms in the parade will be for ceremonial purposes only, and will not be loaded. Rifles must be carried in an “over the shoulder” position only. 2. Only active police personnel may be in possession of live firearms. 3. Entries that include firearms should be noted as such on the application and will be inspected prior to step-off by the Holland Police Department.

If you have any questions about the guidelines or application process, please contact Shannon Yanek at parades@tuliptime.com or 800-822-2770 ext. 117.

Application Deadline: February 6, 2018 - Late Fee After February 6: $25