MORGAN HILL 4th of JULY PARADE APPLICATION 2026

Saturday, July 4, 2026

Start Time: 10:00 am

Theme: “TBA”

Parade Route: 1.6 miles - Downtown Morgan Hill

Anticipated Attendance: 50,000

Parade Entries: Celebrate 250 Years of America!

In honor of America's 250th anniversary, we invite you to be a part of this historic celebration by participating in our parade! Stars, Stripes, and Stories, 250 Years is the theme for this year’s event, and we’re looking for creative, exciting, and entertaining entries that reflect the spirit of this milestone.

We welcome all types of entries: floats, push floats, bands, drill teams, dance groups, uniformed performers, colorful costumes, comical routines, and more. Think outside the box and bring your unique take on the theme! Whether you’re telling a story through history, honoring the American flag, or showcasing the pride and joy of our community, your entry should celebrate the rich legacy and vibrant future of our parade.

All entries will be selected based on how well they align with the theme of Stars, Stripes, and Stories, 150 Years. Let your creativity shine and be part of something truly special!

Important Information:

Please read through the general parade guidelines for important details.
Respond early to secure your spot and be considered for placement.
For updated parade information, visit our website at Morgan Hill Freedom Fest Parade

Parade organizers will approve all applicants. Notification of acceptance will be emailed.

Celebrate 250 years of tradition, community, and patriotism with the exclusive commemorative pin for the Morgan Hill 4th of July Parade! This limited-edition pin is not just a keepsake, but a symbol of the rich history and pride of Morgan Hill's annual celebration.

NOTE to Antique Vehicles: The parade features floats, bands, horse groups and VIPs and takes place 10am-noon. The parade moves at a 3-5 mph pace (a walking pace) to allow for marching bands and kids groups. You may want to apply for the Freedom Fest Car Cruise instead of the parade.

Own a Piece of History

Celebrate 150 years of tradition, community, and patriotism with the exclusive commemorative pin for the Morgan Hill 4th of July Parade! This limited-edition pin is not just a keepsake, but a symbol of the rich history and pride of Morgan Hill's annual celebration. Pins are $12.00 each and can be purchased below.

Entry Deadline - June 1
Parade Entry Application

This form is required to apply for parade participation. Organizers will review your entry and may accept or reject it at their discretion. If accepted, information from this application may be used for production, staging, script, and promotional needs. Acceptance notifications will be sent by email.
* required information field
Parade Year*

2026
Organization*
Contact Name*

First NameLast Name
Mailing Address *

Street or PO Box

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Primary Contact Phone*

Area CodePhone Number
Primary Contact Day of Parade Phone*

Area CodePhone Number
Email*
Secondary Contact Name*

First NameLast Name
Secondary Contact Phone*

Area CodePhone Number
Secondary Contact Email
example@example.com
Entry Classification (check one)*

Non-Commercial - Non-Profit / Individual / SchoolCommerical Business / Professional
Parade Entry Fees

Non-commercial / Non-Profit / Individual - $75.00

Commercial / Business / Professional Entry - $450.00

US Veterans Groups - No Fee (with our thanks)

Bands, Youth, School or Community (Band ONLY) - No Fee

PARADE ITEM DISTRIBUTION FEE - $50.00 (cleanup fee) - must be pre-approved by Parade Committee. This is if you wish to hand out candy, flags, fans, or other promotional items.

Please note you must hand out the items and NOT throw them from vehicles as kids could run into the street.
Payment Method

Payment through PayPal (below) or mail check to: Morgan Hill Freedom Fest, PO Box 1776, Morgan Hill, CA 95038
My Products
prevnext( X )
Non-commercial / Non-Profit / Individual$75.00
Parade Entry Fee

Commerical / Business / Professional $450.00

Parade Item Distribution Fee$50.00
If handing items out

Limited Editon Anniversary Lapel Pin$12.00
Commemorative Pin

Quantity of Anniversary Pin

Total $0.00
ENTRY TYPE DEFINITIONS

BAND - Marching Band, Drum Corps, Pipe Band

EQUESTRIAN - Individual Rider, Team, Posse, Pulled Wagon, Miniature

FLOAT - Self-propelled, Towed, Push or Pull

GUEST - Invited Guest

MARCHERS - Military, Veterans, Scouting Groups, Youth Groups

PERFORMANCE GROUP - Dance Team, Cheer Team, Baton Group, Costumed Group

VEHICLE - Antique or Vintage, Individual, Car Club, Unique, Fire Truck. NOTE: The parade features floats, bands, horse groups and VIPs and takes place 10am-noon. The parade moves at a 3-5 mph pace (a walking pace) to allow for marching bands and kids groups. You may want to apply for the Car Cruise Application instead of the parade.
ENTRY TYPE*

BANDEQUESTRIANFLOATGUESTMARCHERSPERFORMANCE GROUPVEHICLE
Entry Description

Please provide a detailed description of your parade entry (150 words or fewer). Include how the entry will look during the parade, noting any decorations, music, costumes or uniforms, entertainment features, and other unique elements. Also provide a brief overview of the organization submitting the application. If your entry is selected, this information may also be used for the announcer’s script.
ENTRY DESCRIPTION*
Number of Participants*
Total number of people in entry
Entry Length for Staging*
Feet
BAND TYPE

High School BandCommunity BandMiddle School BandDrum MajorColor Guard / Flag TeamOther
EQUESTRIAN TYPE

IndividualTeam / PosseHorse Drawn WagonOther
Number of horses
FLOAT TYPE

Business / ProfessionalAmateur / Nonprofit
Float Size - length/width/height w/tow vehicle
Cannot exceed 70' long X 10' wide X 13' high from ground
MARCHERS/PERFORMANCE GROUP TYPE

Drill / Dance / Cheer TeamCostumed GroupVeterans / MilitaryYouth GroupCommunity GroupOther
VEHICLE TYPE

Single VehicleCar ClubOther
Number of vehicles
If car club, limit six vehicles
Amphilifed music or sound used with entry?*

YesNo
Description of music or sound
Any support vehicles with your entry?*

YesNo
Description of support vehicle
Vehicle used to carry sound, props, etc.
Are any animals (other than equestrians) with entry?

YesNo
Description of other animals
Type and number of animals
Number of transport vehicles, type and sizes (buses, trailers)
Additional comments or requests

0/75
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR PARADE (you can download by clicking the down arrow button next to the printer label)
• The Chairpersons are in charge of the parade and reserve the right to edit comments submitted, accept, reject, reclassify, disqualify, have removed from the Parade, or suspend from participation any unit which does not follow the Parade Rules or decisions, or for not following the directions of the Parade Marshals.

• These Rules and related information have been developed in the hope that the Parade will be a fun, safe, patriotic experience, and a reflection of the Community we love so much. Please do your part in seeing that we all meet those expectations.
As an authorized representative of this organization/business and its participating members, I agree to the Parade Rules and will abide by those rules and the decision of the Parade Committee and judges. Further, my signature on this entry form indicates that I agree that the Morgan Hill Freedom Fest, Morgan Hill Freedom Fest Parade Committee, Upbeat Parade Productions, LLC, the City of Morgan Hill, and all of those organizations' volunteers, employees, contractors, and agents, are released from any and all responsibility for loss, damage or injury to any person or property relating in any way to participate in the parade. I understand that any and all vehicles I have, as part of my parade entry, will be properly insured and the driver will be 18 years of age or older and properly licensed for the vehicle being driven. I will have license and insurance documents with my vehicle on parade day for inspection. I/we understand that segments of the media will be present at the parade and I/we grant an unconditional release for all rights of publications, press, radio, and television present and future, along with all video and photographic rights by virtue of their appearance. I/we further understand and agree that this saves harmless and indemnification shall apply to and all facilities that the City of Morgan Hill may own and/or control. Furthermore, I/we have read and agree to abide by all of the Morgan Hill 4th of July Parade guidelines and rules, as shown in the pages provided and those to be presented with the participant's information package if my unit is accepted.
I have read, agree and accept all parade guidelines, hold harmless and general information as an authorized representative of this organization/business*

I accept
Authorized Representative*

First NameLast Name
Date Application Completed*

MonthDayYear
Date
Questions/Contact:

Ray Pulver, Entry Liasion - Upbeat Parade Productions

408-629-2520 - RayPulver@upbeatparades.com

or

Parade Chair - Matthew Stein

parade@mhfreedomfest.com
Payment Methods

Choose from one of the PayPal options to make your payment.
Should be Empty:

Parade Entry Application

Payment Method

Entry Description