Honor America Days Parade Application

One thing that has added to the excitement and success of Rome’s 40+ years of Honor America Days Celebrations is the absence of any serious accidents that could have caused injuries or damage to property. The Chamber is anxious to continue this record of avoiding injuries to anyone including both participants and the public, and avoiding accidents that might damage property. Ultimately, responsibility must depend upon the care, wisdom, experience and precautions of the participants. To assist you, all participants are required to agree to the following Rules and Regulations on behalf of themselves or the organizations or units they are representing—please sign and submit the waiver shown in this application:

1) Vehicles such as cars, wagons, pickup trucks etc. may be used if decorated appropriately in support of the theme. Only one vehicle per parade entry or unit unless approved in writing by the Chamber. A vehicle pulling a trailer shall be considered one vehicle. Due to safety concerns tractor trailers as well as any vehicle emitting high exhaust content will be placed strictly at the ends of the units.

2) Each vehicle shall have an assistant driver, if feasible, whose duties shall include, but not be limited to, assisting the driver and calling the driver’s attention to any hazards he/she may detect.

3) Vehicles such as wagons, trucks and trailers that carry people must have railings or sides high enough to prevent people from falling off the vehicle onto the street. Be especially mindful of the needs of children.

4) People riding in open cars shall sit in the seats, not on the raised area behind the back of the rear seat. No one may step on or off a float or any motorized unit until it is at a complete stop.

5) Brochures or flyers may not be distributed.

6) You are welcome to distribute candy or other foods/toys/gifts, however, they may not be thrown to children from moving vehicles and may only be distributed while walking immediately adjacent to the curb and handing them to children. No gum and no candy with stems, such as lollipops, please!

7) Loud exhibitions or demonstrations, such as those made by motorized vehicles (e.g., “burn-outs”), are prohibited as are fireworks or firecrackers.

8) All animals must have a pooper scooper detail and a handler. Hot pavement can be harmful to animals and provisions should be made by handlers not to have animals walk the entire route. Instead, animals should take periodic breaks and ride in vehicles for all or part of the route.

9) Alcoholic beverages are not allowed and open container laws will be enforced by active duty police officers.

10) Bottled water and cans of beverages are permitted—glassware is not allowed.

11) Drivers and all vehicles in the parade must have insurance as required by the State of New York. Drivers must also possess a valid driver’s license.

12) Decisions as to where your unit lines-up and its division rest with the Chamber.

13) Certificates of insurance naming the Chamber as additional insured are requested.

14) Candidates for public office must be on the ballot with a party affiliation for the 2024 November election. 

If you plan to perform or put on a brief demonstration as you pass the reviewing stand, please limit it to no more than 30 seconds. Reminder: All units must finish the parade at the corner of West Dominick and North James Streets. The parade steps off at 10am on North James Street, opposite Rome Memorial Hospital and continues south to West Embargo Street where it turns right and passes the reviewing stand where units are announced. The route turns left on to North George Street and ends at the corner of West Dominick Street and North James Street. There are 13 divisions, and unit representatives are notified in advance as to where each division is formed. (See the parade route map).

THIS WAIVER MUST BE SIGNED BY ALL PARADE PARTICIPANTS:

I know that participating in a parade is a potentially hazardous activity. I should not participate unless I am medically able. I agree and those participating in my parade entry agree to abide by the rules and regulations set forth in this application. I agree to abide by any decision of the organizers relative to the division I am assigned to and my ability to safely complete the parade route. I assume all risks associated with participating in the parade including, but not limited to, falls, contact with other participants, the effects of weather, including high heat and/or humidity, traffic and conditions of the road, all such risks being known to me.

I AGREE THAT THE THROWING OF CANDY FROM MOVING VEHICLES IS PROHIBITED AS IS ANY ACTION THAT COULD PUT SPECTATORS AT RISK OR IN DANGER. WHEN DISTRIBUTING CANDY TO PARADE SPECTATORS, I UNDERSTAND THAT PARADE PARTICIPANTS MUST HAND OUT THE CANDY IN A SAFE AND ORDERLY FASHION. I UNDERSTAND THAT ALSO PROHIBITED IS THE THROWING/DISTRIBUTION OF PAPER PRODUCTS, TOYS, OR ITEMS OF ANY KIND TO SPECTATORS. THE ROME AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS NOT TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY INJURIES OR ACCIDENTS THAT RESULT FROM PARADE PARTICIPANTS DEVIATING FROM THIS SAFETY REQUIREMENT.

Having read this waiver and knowing these and in consideration of you accepting my entry, I, for myself and anyone entitled to act on my behalf, waive and release, indemnify and hold harmless, the Rome Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Rome, and all Honor America Days sponsors, their representatives and successors from and against any claims, damages, losses, and expenses, including but not limited to attorney fees arising out of or resulting from performance of the parade participants’ actions or participation or anyone directly or indirectly associated or employed by them or anyone for whose acts they may be liable, regardless of whether or not such claim, damage, loss, or expense is caused in part by a party indemnified hereunder. Such obligation shall not be construed to negate, abridge, or otherwise reduce other rights or obligations of indemnity which would otherwise exist as to a party or person described in this paragraph.

 

Due to increasing expenses, there is a $150 fee for participation in the Honor America Days Parade for non-members.

Thank you.