Children's Parade

CHILDREN'S PARADE & PARTY IN THE PARK

PRESENTED BY
Dear De Soto Children’s Parade and Party in the Park participant,

It is with great pleasure that the Hernando De Soto Historical Society extends to you an invitation to place an entry in the 2026 De Soto Heritage Festival Children’s Parade and Party in the Park on Friday, April 3 , 2026. The parade will step-off at 10:00 am.

This year’s theme is “CELEBRATING 250 YEARS OF AMERICA”. Your float, and or group performance should reflect the perspective of your children, showcasing their interpretation of American history, culture, and values! The participating group whose float entry best represents this year’s theme will be awarded $1,000.

Continuing from last year, the use of motorized vehicles (cars, pickup trucks, SUV’s) to tow your floats, will be allowed. The Parade Entry Application and Parade Rules are enclosed, please review each carefully. The deadline to submit your parade entry application is March 27, 2026. The parade lines up at the Manatee County Fair Grounds and 15th Street West in Palmetto and ends at Sutton and Lamb Parks.

Following the parade, we encourage everyone to participate in the Party in the Park, presented by the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County, at Sutton & Lamb Parks until 1:00 pm. There will be free resources and information for parents, while children can enjoy games, face painting, arts and crafts, and more!

Sincerely,

Rob Bell
Chair

Justin Carpenter
Co-Chair

Jeff Nance
President

2026 Children’s Parade and Party In The Park
Friday, April 3, 2026, 10:00 am

This year’s theme is “Celebrating 250 Years of America”

PARADE ENTRY APPLICATION
Application deadline is March 27, 2026
Date:

MonthDayYear
Organization, School, or Group Name:*
Main Contact:*
Phone Number*
Email*
Address

Street Address Line 2

Please choose an appropriate division*

IndividualSchoolYouth Organization/Performing Group
Category
Number of Participants:*

Will you have a float or a vehicle?*

YesNo
Is your float being pulled by a motorized vehicle?*

YesNoConvertible
What is the total length in feet including you tow vehicle?
INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

You must provide a Certificate of Insurance for both Automobile and Liability coverage with the following description:

"Hernando Desoto Historical Society, Inc., its presenting sponsor(s), other sponsors, Board of Directors, Officers, members, staff, volunteers, the City of Palmetto, 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."

SAMPLE

I agree to provide a Certificate of insurance for the motorized float entry by the deadle date.
Name*
Signature*

Will you be performing?*

YesNo
Please provide a description of your performance:

CHILDREN'S PARADE AND PARTY IN THE PARK

MEDIA FORM
The Information Provided will be used for the announcement and introduction
Brief History of Organization or Group:
Please name previous awards or recognitions that you have received:
Name of VIP's riding or performing:
Additional information you feel is important:

CHILDREN'S PARADE AND PARTY IN THE PARK

PARADE RULES
1. All float decorating must be created and installed by children. For safety, parents are encouraged to participate in the construction of the float structure, which includes assembly of frame, backdrops, and background items. Traditional float decorations such as pre-manufactured fringe, garland, petal paper, etc., are allowed. Judges will deduct points for floats that appear to be decorated by adults.
2. Your group must provide safety walkers to protect participants as well as spectators from your towed entry or float. Please see attached sketch.
3. All participants, other than safety walkers, must be either ON the float or BEHIND the float.
4. As a safety precaution, no animals are permitted with any of the entries.
5. Please advise on entry form if your unit intends to perform so that we can place your unit in the lineup where it will not conflict with a band or another marching unit. For proper flow and the enjoyment of the crowd, participants are encouraged to perform during the parade with a forward movement. Do not stop during the route. Your group will have an opportunity for a stopped performance at the judge’s stand. The judge’s stand is located at Sutton Park on the west side of the parade route. We request that this performance be limited to no longer than 45 seconds.
6. In no case shall participants be allowed to have multiple performances by small individual groups within their overall school participants. Multiple applications will not be accepted by an individual school. If you intend to have multiple performances, they must be completed in the 45 second time allotment.
7. All participants are asked to make every effort to keep their group moving to preserve the continuity of the parade.
8. Music supplied or played for performances must not be offensive.
9. All floats must adhere to the theme of the parade.
10. With the exception of chaperons for small children, the maximum age for participation in the parade is 18 years.
11. Adhere to insurance requirements as requested.
12. Cancellation Clause: The liability insurance may not be canceled, suspended, terminated, nor shall the limits of liability be reduced until after thirty-day notice thereof is given by certified mail to Hernando De Soto Historical Society, Inc., 605 17th Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205
13. Judges’ decisions are final.
I hereby acknowledge that I have read and understand the Parade Rules and on behalf of my organization or group, I agree with the above statement.
Name*
Signature*

CHILDREN'S PARADE AND PARTY IN THE PARK

2026 AWARDS & PRIZES

Selections by the Committee will be made on the following categories. Judging for the “Best Use of Theme Award”, as well as other categories, is subjective and will be weighted to the entries that the decoration have been handmade and applied by children.

Individual/ Team Performances
Most Crowd Pleasing - $500 Award Winner

Floats
Best Use of Theme - $1,000 Award Winner
Most Imaginative - $500 Award Winner
Most Colorful - $500 Award Winner

All judges’ decisions are final. Winning entries will be invited to participate in the De Soto Heritage Festival Grand Parade on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Grand Parade applications that include rules and release waivers, which do include age restrictions, must be completed, and returned as soon as possible. Signs for winners participating will be provided.

I hereby acknowledge that I have read and understand the Awards and Prizes statement and on behalf of my organization or group, I agree with the above statement.
Name*
Signature*

CHILDREN'S PARADE AND PARTY IN THE PARK

HOLD HARMLESS AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY

Participants in the Children’s Parade do so at their own risk. The Hernando De Soto Historical Society, Inc. cannot and will not be held liable for any claims or damages arising from property damage or personal injury sustained by participants. Participants assume full responsibility for any injury or damages which may occur before, after, or during the event and do hereby fully and forever release and discharge the Hernando De Soto Historical Society, Inc., the Board of Directors, its Staff, their members, agents and sponsors from all claims, demands, rights of causes of action present or future, whether known, anticipated or unanticipated, and resulting from or arising out of the Hernando De Soto Historical Society, Inc., De Soto Heritage Festival Children’s Parade.

As the main contact for my group, I attest that I have read and understand the above Hold Harmless agreement and accept full responsibilty for my groups actions.
Name*
Signature*

CHILDREN'S PARADE AND PARTY IN THE PARK

SECURITY WALKERS REQUIREMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Prevent parade viewers from getting in the path of a tow vehicle or float.
2. Prevent any injuries or contact with your group’s participants.
3. Do not interact with the parade viewers - no passing out beads or anything.
4. Monitor your group’s participants for any issues or injuries.
5. Must wear safety vests.
6. These are the minimum requirements. Additional walkers may be added.
As the main contact for my group, I attest that I have read and understand the above Security Walkers Requirements and Responsibilities agreement and accept to abide by it.
Name*
Signature*

STAGING AREA AND PARADE ROUTE

RELEASE FORM

Please download and print as necessary. This form must be delivered to HDHS office, emailed, or presented to parade staging staff the day of the event. Every participant must sign the release form.

Please download forms
FILE UPLOAD

If you do not have a certificate of insurance to upload at this time, please save and use this link for a future upload: UPLOAD FILE
Insurance File Upload

Cancelof
Should be Empty:

CHILDREN'S PARADE & PARTY IN THE PARK

INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

STAGING AREA AND PARADE ROUTE