2025 FOT Parade Application

Festival of Trees Holiday Parade Application

Deadline to Complete and Submit: Wednesday, October 15, 2025 This year's Theme is "Tinsel & Tradition - Celebrating 40 Years of Festival Magic!" Festival of Trees Parade is Televised Live on KWQC-TV6
For questions regarding the Parade, contact jewels1982.jb@gmail.com.

For information about Festival of Trees, visit our website: www.qcfestivaloftrees.com.
Group Name
Group Name
Contact Name*

First NameLast Name
Address of Contact Person - Parade Info Will Be Mailed To This Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Contact Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
Contact Email*
example@example.com
Please choose the Judging Category for your entry*

Best Float - Will be judged on design, originality & creativity, workmanship and execution of parade theme. Smiles and enthusiasm are a big factor!Best Specialty Vehicle/Antique Car - Will be judged on vehicle cleanliness, decorated appropriately & creatively and must have the ability to complete the parade. Smiles and enthusiasm are a big factor!Holiday Cheer - Will be judged on performance, costumes, a fun, happy spirit and crowd appeal. Smiles and enthusiasm are a big factor!Best Band - Will be judged on the music, how uniformly the band marches and if they are synchronised with the music. Smiles and enthusiasm are a big factor!Best Balloon Handlers & Costumes - Will be judged on how well the costumes compliment the balloon, how well the team handles and controls the balloon and their energy. Smiles and enthusiasm are a big factor!Best of Parade - This will be the judges choice of the best overall entry. Smiles and enthusiam are a big factor!Best Festive Theme - This will be the entry that best represents the Quad City Arts Festival of Trees theme. Tinsel & Tradition - Celebrating 40 Years of Festival Magic! Smiles and enthusiasm are a big factor!
Title of Entry*
Number of People in Your Group*
Please be exact, as this determines your place in the lineup
Length of Entry*
Please list any space requirements for staging
Number of Vehicles in Entry (This is important for entry planning.)*
Music Genre (if any)*
Please Describe Your Entry*
Include when organization was formed, any awards received, mission statement, etc. This information may be used in the television broadcast.
Entry Type*

Float ($125)Custom Vehicle/Antique Car ($125 per vehicle)Performance/Dance Groups; All Walking Units ($125)Pageant Representative ($100 per vehicle)High School Marching Bands and Community Drill Teams (No Charge)Military/Fire/Police/Color Guard (No Charge)

Entry Type*

Float

$125.00

Customer Vehicle/Antique Car

$125.00

Performance/Dance Groups and All Walking Units All entries must be prepared to perform in front of the judges.

$125.00 Quantity

Pageant Representative

$100.00 Quantity

High School Marching Bands and Community Drill TeamsAll entries must be prepared to perform in front of the judges.

$ Free Quantity

Military/Fire/Police/Color Guard

$ Free Quantity

Total

$0.00

Payment Methods

Credit Card

Apple Pay

Google Pay

Is there anything else we should know about your parade entry?
*** IMPORTANT INFORMATION ***

Entries will be notified by MAIL of staging time and lineup placement, no later than November 8, 2025.. Parade steps off at 10:00 a.m. sharp.

The entry category you select will be the category in which your entry will be judged, if applicable. Entries will be judged during the parade; ribbons will be hand delivered to the winners after Festival of Trees concludes.

Entries are considered on a first received basis in each category. The parade is limited to a total of 75 entries.

Festival of Trees is a fundraiser for Quad City Arts. All entry fees go toward parade expenses. Additional funds benefit community
programming by Quad City Arts and are non-refundable.

Unauthorized vehicles in the staging area will be towed; if you have accessibility needs, please contact us for arrangements.

All units must meet parade safety and appearance standards. Safe and attractive units are welcomed into the parade. Substandard units will be omitted from the parade. Undecorated flatbeds, pick-up trucks, and cars are not allowed on the parade route.

Festival of Trees has no political affiliations, therefore, no political campaigning is allowed. I understand this rule, and our entry will not include political campaigning.

Festival of Trees provides a Santa Claus for the parade. Since children are confused by more than one Santa, this will be the only Santa allowed in the parade. Any other person dressed as Santa in the parade will be asked to remove the costume or leave the event. I understand this rule, and our entry will not include a person dressed as Santa.

For the safety of the spectators and because parade liability insurance for balloon handlers mandates it, there can be absolutely NO throwing of candy or anything else from the parade entries. Violators will be removed from the parade. I understand this rule, and our entry/volunteers will from throwing objects of any sort.

Your entry is pending until the waiver below has been signed and entry fee has been paid.
Date*
Should be Empty:

Festival of Trees Holiday Parade Application

Payment Methods