Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 | 6:30 pm

WEATHERFORD LIGHTS THE NIGHT PARADE

THEME: Sights and Sounds of Christmas

 The award-winning Weatherford Lights the Night parade is a spectacular procession of illuminated floats, wagons, trailers, the Weatherford Marching Band, Blue Belles and other community groups, captivating the hearts of all who attend. The parade showcases the creativity and holiday spirit of our community. 

Please review the rules, guidelines and sign the Waiver. You will be notified via email on line-up instructions. 

Location: Weatherford, TX 

Parade Route: Long route beginning at Ninth Grade Center to Courthouse to Waco St.

Date/Time: Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 @ 6:30 pm

 

GENERAL RULES AND GUIDELINES

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

• All parade entries MUST showcase a holiday theme. This year's parade theme is Sights & Sounds of Christmas.
• Proof of insurance by vehicle or towing vehicle.
• Lights MUST be used on all entries.
• Entry applications are all subject to approval by Parade organizers.
• The parade participants must be holiday themed and "Family friendly" appropriate to be seen by all ages.
• Parade entries may not support, communitcate, publicize, encourage or display any controversial or non-family friendly messages.
• Music is encouraged to accompany the entry.
• NO Santa or Mrs. Claus costumes allowed. The Weatherford Chamber will have the official Santa in the parade. Other types of appropriate holiday costumes are permitted.
• The rules and guidelines are for the safety and quality of the parade. Failure to abide by these rules and guidelines and those presented with the parade information package, may result in the entry's removal from the parade.
• A separate application MUST BE submitted for each entry in parade. Example: A car/motorcycle club must have each driver submit an entry and sign the liability waiver.
• If an entry is considered to be one, example: drill team, marching band, then only one application is required.
• No sirens, horns or loud noises are permitted & no throwing items-candy, etc.
• No refunds will be made for cancellation or removal for cause.

ENTRY APPLICATION FORM:

• Entry application must be received by Nov. 17, 2023.
• The entry application form must be completed and signed with the understanding of the general rules and guidelines.
• The parade organizers reserve the right to reject any entry at any time.
• Staging instructions will be emailed approximately two weeks prior to the parade.

THIS IS A FORWARD MOTION PARADE:

• All entries are required to always maintain a continuous forward motion at all times during the parade. NO STOPPING.

ABSOLUTELY NO TOSSING OR DISTRIBUTING HANDOUTS, CANDY OR FAVORS:

• Nothing can be tossed or handed out along the parade route or curbside due to liability policies set forth by the parade insurance company and City ordinance.

POLITICAL:

• WCOC is a non-political organization
• Under Section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code, tax-exempt organizations are prohibited from participating in or intervening in political activities.
• Only current office holders are allowed to enter the parade and must submit application.

IDENTIFICATION SIGNS:

• Identification banners must be lit
• Signs for identification purposes only and must not be used as advertisement or political statement. 

CANCELLATION POLICY:

• Only a significant act of nature will cancel the parade, for which all units will be notified. 

MARCHING MUSICAL UNITS:

• Musical units are requested to perform the entire parade route.
• Unit members must have lights on their uniforms/costumes.

VEHICLES:

• All vehicles MUST be properly insured, and drivers must have valid driver's license
• All drivers must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid driver's license. 
• Vehicles must be illuminated; this is a lighted parade.

SUPPORT VEHICLES:

• Motorized entries (floats, cars, etc.) will NOT be permitted to have a support vehicle. A float and a tow vehicle comprise one unit.
• Marching units and walking entries are permitted to have one support vehicle. The support vehicle must be decorated and lighted. 
• Entrants must describe the support vehicle on the form to be eligible to have a support vehicle in the parade.

SAFETY:

• No child under ten (10) years of age will be allowed to walk in the parade. Children under 10 may ride on floats, vehicles under adult supervision.
• Baby strollers and children's wagons are not allowed in the line of march with units. 
• At no time shall anyone on the float attempt to step off the float while the float is in motion.
• Parade participants must keep pace with the line of march. All units must maintain forward motion during the parade. 
• Materials used in each entry must be fire-retardant and not of a dangerous nature. 
• An onboard fire extinguisher is highly recommended, and mandatory if portable generators are used. 
• Parade units must follow instructions from the Parade Committee and Police Officers. Failure to follow instructions will result in immediate removal from the parade line-up.
• Parade Committee reserves the right to remove any unit from the line of march for any reason or cause without advance notice.
• Due to safety concerns, we do not allow individual horse riders in the night parade. 

ENTRY AND LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS:

• Each entry must be illuminated with light strands, flashlights, spotlights, florescent materials, or other resources and in accordance with the following minimum requirements. Recommended number of lights below. No entries will be accepted or allowed to participate without the minimum requirement. 
   
  • Floats: decorated unit on a trailer pulled by a tow vehicle
    • Length =
      • 5 feet, 800 lights
      • 10 feet, 1,300 lights
      • 15 feet, 2,000 lights
      • 20 feet, 2,500 lights
      • 20 feet, 2,500 lights
  • Cars/Golf Cars/mini cars - 1,500 lights
  • Motorcycles and bicycles- 750 to 1,000 lights
  • Carriages, wagons - 1,500 lights
  • Trucks - (tow vehicles are not included and should not be illuminated), 2,500 lights
• Walking units will be limited and required to accompany a float or provide entertainment value such as performing a moving routine, clowning, drill team, cheerleading or use of a creative holiday costuming. 
• All individuals in walking units must be illuminated with lighting of a minimum of 50 per individual.
• All parade participants including motorcycle, bicycle, float, walking units and car drivers must be in costume or holiday wear. 
• Parade participants are not allowed to distribute candy, pamphlets, or other materials along the parade route.
• The Weatherford Chamber of Commerce Santa Claus will ride the anchor float. No other live or life-size likeness of Santa Claus is permitted, although replication of reindeer, sleighs, etc., are acceptable.
• All entries are required to be ready to step-off at the appropriate time and any entry not prepared will forfeit their opportunity regardless of reason.

MUSIC

• Music is not required but it is highly encouraged.

ENTRY CATEGORIES:

Floats- generally considered to be wheeled decks or trailers with decoration and lighting. Must have handrails for passengers.

Vehicles/Bicycles/Motorcycles
No club registration; each vehicle must submit their own registration form.

Marching Bands

• School or professional marching bands with or without Drill and Flag Teams
• Drum & Bugle Corps

Musical Groups (other than marching bands, with music produced by participants)

• Pipe and Drum Corps
• Marching Musical Performance groups not classified as a Marching Band or Drum /Bugle Corps.

Mounted and Equestrian Units:

• Pulled wagons, stagecoaches or any elements requiring stock to pull or push.
• No individual equine riders are allowed.

LIABILITY WAIVER

THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY ELECTS TO AND DOES RELEASE THE WCOC AND ITS RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, AGENTS, EMPLOYEES FOR ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, RIGHTS OR CAUSES OF ACTIONS OF WHATSOEVER KIND OF NATURE WHICH THE UNDERSIGNED HAS EVER HAD OR MAY NOW HAVE OR MAY HEREAFTER HAVE, WHERE NOW KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, FORESEEN OR UNFORESEEN, ARISING FROM OR BY REASON OF ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH ANY INJURIES, LOSSES, DAMAGES, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR LOSS, OR THE RESULTS THEREOF, WHERE HERETOFORE HAS EVER OR HEREAFTER MAY BE SUSTAINED BY THE UNDERSIGNED AS A RESULT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF THE UNDERSIGNED'S PARTICIPATION IN THE WEATHERFORD LIGHTS THE NIGHT PARADE.