Rough Riders St. Patrick's Day
Parade Application

LOCATION: Downtown Tampa Florida

The deadline for parade entries is February 14th, 2025. Incomplete forms will NOT be processed.

Please keep in mind:
• All motorized and trailered vehicles must be insured to participate in the parade.
• No person over six (6) feet in height (together with costume elements) may stand on a float or other platform at the maximum floor height of eleven (11) feet or higher.

On behalf of the Parade Committee and the City of Tampa, we look forward to receiving your
parade application. If possible, we would appreciate some green decorations on your float and/or participants.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Office: (813) 248-1898, office@tamparoughriders.org
Todd Parry (813) 838-1056
Rick Ceglio (813) 244-7263

Regards,
1st USV Rough Riders St. Patrick's Parade Committee

• Registration Deadline: February 14th, 2025
• Manditory staging briefing, number distribution, safety details and Q&A. Location is the Rough Rider clubhouse, 601 N. 19th St. Tampa FL 33605 on Thursday February 27th, 2025 at 6:30 PM
• Parade: March 15th, 2025
• Start Time: To be announced

One Vehicle $300
One Float $450
Two or more Floats $600
Fire/EMS/Law Enforcement - Free
Elected Official - Free
School (not a band) - Free
School Band - Free

ALL NAMING/ADVERTIZING ON YOUR PARADE ENTRY MUST MATCH YOUR ENTRY NAME (Except for your tow vehicle which may carry the name of the licensed towing company such as Stepps Towing).

Our staging area is very tight and we have to know how much space you'll need in staging. We need to know the ENTIRE LENGTH of your entry, INCLUDING THE TOW VEHICLE if you have one.

One entry fee entitles you to enter two vehicles or one float.  The combined length of your ENTIRE entry cannot exceed 80 feet.   If your organization has more than two vehicles, or requires more than 80 feet, an additional entry fee may be required.  

Your entry will be verified at staging - please do not arrive with more vehicles than you report on this application or you will be turned away or additional fees may be required.

Please review each section and check each box to acknowledge that you have read and understand the following statements that are related to the 2025 St. Patrick's Parade.

1. The float shall be equipped with an emergency tow ring, so the unit can be quickly removed from the parade route in case of breakdown.
2. The float shall be equipped with currently certified fire extinguisher. Participants on the float will be informed of the location of the fire extinguisher.
3. The float shall be constructed in such a way that no portion of the float will be less than 12 inches from the ground when the float is fully decorated and loaded. Sufficient wheel and dolly clearance shall be incorporated so that no interference with the chassis or any associated structure can occur in any mode of operation of the float.
4. FLOAT HEIGHT Float can be no more than 10 feet wide, without riggers. Maximum height is 11 feet, 6 inches with any second deck level no higher than 10 feet, 6 inches from ground. The float and tow unit together cannot exceed 65 feet. If there is a tow vehicle, it shall be covered or decorated, but it is not required to have illumination. However, such illumination is suggested to enhance the float. No person (together with costume elements) who stands on a float or other authorized participating platform at the maximum floor height of eleven (11) feet can be over six (6) feet tall.
5. The Entrant is responsible for ensuring that the number of participants riding on its float does not exceed that safety standards set by the float builder/designer.
6. All floats are to have of propulsion capable for moving the float at an extremely slow rate of speed throughout the length of the parade route (2 miles). If the propulsion is internal to the float, and if the driver is visible to the public, he should be dressed appropriately with the theme of the float. It is not necessary for a Unit to have a tow vehicle if the unit has self-propulsion and meets the insurance requirements.
7. All float drivers will be with their float no later than 45 minutes prior to the designated start time for the parade. Upon request, the driver will demonstrate and must provide to a parade marshal that stage lighting is operable on the float. No float will be permitted to leave the staging area without illumination.
8. Inspection of float by a Parade Marshal does not create liability for the Rough Rider Parade Committee. The Entrant is solely responsible for the safety of a float. The float will also have a placard with driver’s name, and two (2) contact phone numbers in case there is a problem and driver are needed during staging.

USE OF FIREWORKS:
The use of fireworks as defined in section 1 above is prohibited in the St Pats Parade. Confetti Cannons, Water Guns, and Silly String are NOT allowed.

DANGERS ALONG PARADE ROUTE:
Along the Parade Route there are structures in the road right of way that could cause personal injury or death. This is especially important on multi-level and “double decked” floats. The dangers include, but are not limited to, overpass for roadways, streetlights, and traffic signals. Parade Marshals will attempt to advise vehicle and float drivers of hazards, but the Rough Rider Parade Committee and the Parade Marshals have no responsibility to warn of any hazards. Each entrant, and its Person in charge, will discuss these hazards with its vehicle driver, and each Entrant has the sole responsibility for the safety of its Participants.

LIABILITY DISCLAIMER AND HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT:
All entries into the parade must execute a liability disclaimer and hold harmless agreement in the format required by the Rough Rider Parade Committee and supplied with these rules. These rules shall be incorporated and made a part of the said agreement. The person executing the agreement on behalf of the organization shall have authority from the organization to execute the said contractual agreements, which are binding legal documents.

NO POLITICAL, RELIGIOUS, ETC.:
The Rough Rider Parade Committee desires an event which is entraining to spectators. The Rough Rider Parade Committee reserves the right to reject the entry of any float, up to and including the time of the commencement of the parade, if, in the judgment of the Parade Chairman, the float attempts to demonstrate or promote a political, religious, or controversial social theme. No flyers, booklets, pamphlets, or brochures, which support a political, religious, or controversial social theme, will be distributed along the Parade route.

CANCELLATION:
The Rough Rider Parade Committee reserves the right, if weather or other unforeseen events occur, to cancel the Parade. Cancellation is unlikely.

PARADE DISBANDING/ MUSIC
After the St. Patrick's Parade, all participating floats and vehicles using amplified music will turn off their sound producing systems upon reaching the disbanding area. Floats will not stop to discharge or load participants in this location. Floats will continue to follow directions of parade staff and law enforcement before stopping to discharge or pick up participants.

TOW VEHICLES
Stepp's Towing is a contributing partner of the 2025 St. Patrick's Parade.  All floats not serviced by Stepp's Towing must cover all logos on the tow vehicle before entering staging.  Parade officials will be checking for compliance and will ask drivers of trucks to comply before the parade begins.

The Rough Riders will hold a manditory staging briefing, number distribution, safety details and Q&A. Location is the Rough Rider clubhouse, 601 N. 19th St. Tampa FL 33605 on Thursday February 27th, 2025 at 6:30 PM.  All particapating krewes, entrants and organizations are expected to attend receive their staging position and official credentials for entering the parade staging area.  This will be a krewe only event.  Food and beverages will be served.  Krewes, sponsors and participants will send a responsible representative (preferably safety officer, president, etc.  Details for this event and parade announcements will be emailed as well as available online at the Rough Rider St.Patrick's Parade website. 

1. The Rough Rider Parade Committee desires to produce a parade that is a pleasing event for spectators. Accordingly, it is requested that participants not stop or slow down the movement of floats during the parade. No stopping on loitering on the parade route. Participants shall not engage in any behavior on the parade route which could be considered profane or obscene or request such behavior from spectators. The Person in Charge is requested to cooperate with parade marshals to ensure these requirements are met. Failure to comply with these standards could result in rejection of future entry into the parade.
2. All beverages to be in opaque cups. No glass containers or cans. No external taps on floats or motorized vehicles.
3. The Rough Rider Parade Committee has an agreement with its Promoter and various Sponsors. Accordingly, an approved entrant in the parade shall not display the radio call sign or logo of any television station or radio station in the “Tampa Bay Media Market.” No radio broadcasts from a float are allowed without the prior written approval of the Parade Chairman. Further no advertising unrelated to the entrant shall be displayed. This does not prohibit a Commercial Entry from displaying logos or other reasonable indicia of its business (see D. below). The Rough Rider Parade Committee reserves the right to reject a float on the day of the parade with unauthorized signage.
4. Corporate logos and identification are permitted on a Commercial Entry if they relate to the Entrants business and float’s aesthetic concept. Sponsorship signs can be no larger than 2 feet square and are limited to one per side. Sponsorship signs cannot conflict or compete with St. Pat’s Parade Sponsors. Official (see #3 above and definitions).
5. Each Entrant shall have the Person in Charge who will always accompany the Entrant prior to and during the parade. The Person in Charge will identify himself or herself, to the Parade Marshal in charge of the section of the parade where the Entrant is placed. The Person in Charge will cooperate fully with all requests of the marshals and make sure his or her organization complies with requests of marshals.
6. All Participants (marching, riding upon floats, etc.) shall be in distinctive matching festive dress compatible with the theme of the float, or in costume Participants in “street clothes” will not be allowed. All participants shall conduct themselves in a manner appropriate for participation in a public event. All participants shall be identified by wristbands, which will be worn throughout the parade. All participants will act in accordance with requests of Parade Marshals.

Definitions:
The "Agreement" shall refer to this Release, Assumption of Risk, Covenant Not to Sue and Hold Harmless.

"Released Party" shall refer to the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment-Rough Riders, Inc. and include its past present and future members, owners, employees, officers, directors, principals, parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, associated corporations, agents, partners, representatives, predecessors, heirs, legal representatives, successors, and assigns.

"My Organization" shall be referred to as the above named and include its past, present, and future members, owners, employees, officers, directors, principals, parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, associated corporations, agents, partners, representatives, predecessors, heirs, legal representatives, successors, and assigns.

The "Event" shall refer to My Organization's participation in the Rough Riders' St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 15, 2025, from My Organization's arrival at the location of the event to its departure from that location.

"Injury" shall refer to personal injury, bodily injury, death, property damage and any other personal or financial loss sustained by My Organization that in any way results from, or relates to, the Event.

Acknowledgements:

I am at least 18 years of age and otherwise competent to sign this Agreement. I am a member and authorized agent of My Organization. I am specifically authorized to sign this Agreement on behalf of My Organization. My organization has full knowledge of this Agreement and specifically agrees to be bound by its terms and conditions.

Participation in a large parade, such as the Rough Riders' St. Patrick's Day Parade, has inherent risks and dangers requiring skill, concentration, and attention to participants. My organization understands that no amount of care, caution, instruction, or expertise can eliminate such dangers.

No individual in My Organization is suffering from any illness or physical disability that would affect his or her ability to safely participate in the Event.

My organization agrees that this Agreement will apply to the Event and may only be terminated in writing. My organization understands that this Agreement is a binding contract. My Organization agrees that this Agreement shall be governed and construed by the laws of Florida. All disputes arising under, in connection with or incident to this Agreement shall be litigated, if at all, in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, in and for, Hillsborough County, Florida.

This Agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by law. If any part of this Agreement shall be deemed unenforceable, the unenforceable provision shall be curtailed and limited only to the extent necessary to bring it within the requirements of the law, and the remainder of the Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.

I HAVE READ THIS DOCUMENT. I UNDERSTAND IT AND I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT CONSTITUTES A RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND WAIVER OF MY ORGANIZATION'S LEGAL RIGHTS. MY ORGANIZATION AGREES TO ASSUME ALL RISKS ARISING OUT OF THE EVENT SO THAT IT CAN PARTICIPATE.

All approved parade entries must present separate and individual proof of insurance to the
parties below for event participation.

If the parade entry is a self-propelled unit, the self-propelled unit must present evidence of
Automobile Liability. Automobile liability shall be $1,000,000 combined single limit for bodily injury
and property damage.

If the parade entry is a float pulled by a tow unit, the tow vehicle must present evidence of
Automobile Liability insurance. Automobile Liability shall be $1,000,000 combined single limit for
bodily injury and property damage.

Additionally, all parade entrants must present evidence of General Liability insurance, whether or
not a float entry.  General Liability shall be $1,000,000 combined single limit for bodily injury and
property damage.
Automobile Liability and General Liability must be presented as separate policies, each having a
limit of $1,000,000.

If entrant is renting a float from a float company that will supply the tow vehicle, the float company
must provide a Certificate of Insurance in compliance with the parade requirements.

If entrant is using a commercial towing company the towing company must provide evidence of
insurance from the commercial towing company for Commercial Automobile Liability.

In either case the entrant will supply a certificate of insurance for General Liability Insurance. Each
Certificate of Insurance must contain an Additional Insured Clause as shown below.

For the St. Patrick's Day Parade
Certificate Holder: 1st U.S. Volunteer Calvary Regiment Rough Riders, Inc.
P.O. Box 75892 Tampa, FL 33675
St. Patrick's Day Parade TEL: (813) 248-1898
E-Mail: office@tamparoughriders.org

Additional Insured Clause to read:
1st U.S. Volunteer Calvary Regiment Rough Riders, Inc., the City of Tampa, one (1) "Title" and up
to two (2) "Presenting" level sponsors are named as Additional Insured with a Waiver of
Subrogation under both General Liability and Automobile Liability insurance coverages with
respect to liability arising out of any operation of the entrant in connection with the St. Patrick's
Night Parade. The afforded additional insurance shall be primary and non-contributory insurance
and any other valid and collectible insurance available to additional insureds shall be in excess
insurance