DE SOTO HERITAGE FESTIVAL GRAND PARADE APPLICATION
Parade Start: Saturday, April 25, 2026 - 6:30 PM

Registration Deadline:  April 6, 2026

-- STOP: BEFORE YOU BEGIN --

Before you begin this document....

1. If you are entering a motorized vehicle with 4 wheels or more, YOU WILL NEED TO UPLOAD A CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE.  ASK YOUR INSURANCE AGENT TO PRODUCE A CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE with the following ADDITIONAL INSURED clause:

"Hernando Desoto Historical Society, Inc., its presenting sponsor(s), other sponsors, members, staff, volunteers, the City of Bradenton, and the Bradenton City Council 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."

2.  Later on this form, you will be asked to sign a Release of Liability on behalf of your organization.  If you are not authorized to do this, make sure that an authorized agent from your organization does so.

DE SOTO HERITAGE FESTIVAL GRAND PARADE
PARADE ENTRY CATEGORIES & PRICING

Commercial Entry	$800.00
Krewe	$575.00
Non-Profit	$575.00
Government	$615.00
Fire/EMS/LEO	Free
Elected Official	Free
High School (not a band)	Free
High School Band	Free
Children's Parade Winner	Free

DE SOTO HERITAGE FESTIVAL GRAND PARADE
PARADE ENTRY REGISTRATION

DE SOTO HERITAGE FESTIVAL GRAND PARADE
ENTRY LOGISTICS

NOTE: If you have a walking group, just enter "Walking Group" in the Vehicle #1 Description section and the number of people in the Vehicle #1 Length space.

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 been pulled by a vehicle.  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.

MEDIA RELEASE

ALL NAMING or 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.

Tell us what you would like the media to say about your organization.  This event will be televised, and the emcee will describe each participant as it passes the reviewing stand.

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS CAREFULLY.
YOU MUST AGREE TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

GENERAL INFORMATION & REQUIREMENTS TO PARTICIPATE

Automobile & General Liability Insurance

• All parade participants utilizing a motorized vehicle in the parade must provide a certificate of insurance with the following Additional Insured clause:  “Hernando Desoto Historical Society, Inc., its presenting sponsor(s), other sponsors, members, staff, volunteers, the City of Bradenton, and the Bradenton City Council 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."
• If your insurance policy is up for renewal AFTER the posted submission deadline, you must notify us with an expected renewal date.

 

Your Entry Must Match Your Application

• Space is extremely limited in staging.  Each entry has space allocated to it based upon the information (size/length of entry) provided in the application.  Entries that are significantly larger or not conforming to the application submitted may be assessed additional fees, moved to the end of the parade, or prohibited from participating – forfeiting their entry fee.  Walking entries are limited to bands, drill teams, or unique entries approved by the Parade Committee.
• The Signage on your entry must match your application.
• Except for licensed towing companies like Stepps Towing, all signage on your entry or float must match your application.  For example, if you enter as “Great Giving Charities”, then the signage on your entry (except for your tow vehicle as stated above) must state “Great Giving Charities” or information about Great Giving Charities such as “Giving back to American’s In Need”, etc.  You cannot add the name of a sponsor or other entity such as “Sponsored by American Plumbing”.

 

Mandatory Participant Meeting

• We will be conducting several on-line (zoom) and in-person meetings to show participants how to access the staging area and assigning staging times.
• Your representative MUST ATTEND one of these meetings; we will be tracking participation and will deny entry into the parade if your organization fails to attend one of these meetings.  MAKE SURE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION IS KEPT CURRENT.

 

I have read the above General Information and Requirements to Participate, and as the authorized representative of my organization or group, I agree to the above.

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

 

Age Restrictions

• All children up to the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult and must be riding on a float or inside a vehicle.

• No child under the age of 14 may walk in the parade except for those in a marching band OR a walking group.

 

Required Safety Equipment

• Fire Extinguishers. All floats and any vehicle or trailer with a generator must carry a fire extinguisher with a current certification. Vehicles will be inspected by the Manatee County Fire Marshall. Cars or trucks that do not have generators or are not pulling floats are exempt. You will NOT be able to purchase fire extinguishers at staging so please make sure your float or trailer has an extinguisher, or you will not be permitted to participate in the parade.

• Security Walkers. Each entry is required to provide a minimum of 2 security walkers per axle to assist local law enforcement in keeping the public along the parade route safely away from the moving vehicles/floats

• Safety Vests. Security walkers are required to wear a DOT Class 1 Reflective safety vest during the parade. Safety vests will be available for purchase at staging.

I have read the above Safety Requirements, and as the authorized representative of my organization or group, I agree to the above.

STAGING AND PARADE ROUTE

Please do not arrive with more vehicles than you registered on this application. You will be turned away, or additional fees may be required.

Staging Location

• Staging will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026, between 1pm and 6pm. Floats will be lined up on Manatee Avenue between 1st Street and 9th Street West. That section of roadway will be closed to non-parade traffic.

 

Assigned Staging Times

• Each entry will be assigned a staging time and must arrive within 20 minutes of their assigned time.

• Early arrivals will be sent away until their designated arrival time, and late entries may be turned away and not permitted to participate.

• We cannot change the arrival times to accommodate individual schedules.

 

Parade Route and Start Time

• The parade will begin at 6:30pm at the intersection of Manatee Avenue W and 9th Street W (where the downtown post office is located).

• The parade will end at 39th Street West. Bead throwing and music must stop at this point.

• The breakdown area, where floats can briefly stop to secure themselves, is between 39th Street and 43rd Street West.

I have read the above Staging and Parade Route Requirements, and as the authorized representative of my organization or group, I agree to the above.

MISCELLANEOUS REQUIREMENTS

Prohibited Activities

• Promotion of ANY political candidate is strictly forbidden. Political parties may promote themselves (i.e. “Vote Democrat” or “Vote Republican”), but the use of candidate names or signage promoting any individual candidate is prohibited.
• No candy may be thrown during the parade.
• All beads must be thrown as far from the entry as possible.
• Handing beads directly from the side of the float endangers the public by encouraging them to approach the float. This activity is strictly prohibited.
• No printed materials may be distributed along the parade route.
• No firearms, cannons, or fireworks may be used in the parade.
• No sirens – except for official emergency vehicles.

 

Refunds
If for any reason you cannot attend the parade, a refund will be issued only if notice of withdrawal is received in our office fourteen (14) days prior to the event.

 

Cancelation Policy
We are a non-profit organization. We incur significant up-front expenses in putting this event on, and they are not refundable. Therefore, the Hernando de Soto Historical Society will not be able to issue refunds, nor deferrals for the cancellation of this event due to weather conditions or public safety – circumstances that are obviously beyond our control.

I have read the above Miscellaneous Requirements, and as the authorized representative of my organization or group, I agree to the above.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY, ASSUMPTION OF RISK,
COVENANT NOT TO SUE, AND HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT

Definitions:

1. The "Agreement" shall refer to this Release of Liability, Assumption of Risk, Covenant Not to Sue, and Hold Harmless.
2. "Released Party" shall refer to The Hernando DeSoto Historical Society, Inc. and include, it's 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.
3. "My Organization" shall include, it's 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.
4. “The "Event" shall refer to My Organization's participation in the DeSoto Heritage Festival Grand Parade on The Event Date listed above beginning with My Organization's arrival at the location of The Event to its departure from that location.
5. "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 is connected with The Event.

Acknowledgement:

1. I am at least 18 years of age and otherwise competent to sign the Agreement. I am a member of My Organization. I am specifically authorized to sign this Agreement on behalf of My Organization.  My Organization is aware of this Agreement and agrees to be bound by its terms and conditions.
2. Participation in a large parade, such as the DeSoto Heritage Festival Grand Parade has inherent dangers requiring skill, concentration, and attention by all participants. My Organization understands that no amount of care, caution, instruction, or expertise can completely eliminate such dangers
3. 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.

Release, Assumption of Risk, Covenant Not to Sue, and Hold Harmless:

1. My Organization desires to participate in The Event. To do so, it voluntarily agrees to the following:
2. My Organization releases, waives, and discharges the Released Party to the full extent allowed by law, from any and all liability, claims, demands, or causes of action for Injury, however caused, even if caused by negligence, in whole or in part and in any form, of the Released Party.
3. My Organization expressly and voluntarily assumes all risk of Injury, to the full extent allowed by law, however caused, even if caused by the negligence, in whole or part and in any form, of the Released Party.
4. My Organization will not sue or make a claim against the Released Party for Injury and if it violates this agreement by filling such a suit or making such a claim. My Organization will pay all attorneys' fees and cost of the Released Party.
5. My Organization will defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Released Party from all claims, judgments, and costs, including attorney's fees (to the limited extent that the defense and indemnity are not otherwise covered by collectible liability insurance), if someone suffers personal injury, bodily injury, death, or property damage as a result of My Organization's negligence, gross negligence, or willful misconduct in connection with The Event.

Termination, Applicable Law, and Severability:

1. My Organization agrees that this Agreement will apply to The Event and may only be terminated in writing.
2. My Organization understands that this agreement is a contract. My Organization agrees that this Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida. All disputes arising under, in connection with, or incident to this Agreement shall be litigated, if at all, in the Twelth Judicial Circuit, Manatee County, Florida.
3. This agreement is intended to be as broad and Inconclusive as Is permitted by law. If any, article, paragraph, sentence, or clause of this Agreement shall be deemed unenforceable, the affected 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 A WAIVER OF MY ORGANIZATION'S LEGAL RIGHTS. MY ORGANIZATION AGREES TO ASSUME ALL RISKS ARISING OUT OF THE EVENT, SO THAT IT CAN PARTICIPATE.      

I, as the authorized representive, on behalf of my organization/company, hereby agree to the Release of Liability, Assumptionof Risk, Covenant not to Sue, and to Hold Harmless Agreement. 

SAMPLE CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE

ALL RELEASE FORMS
You may download all of the release forms for your records.