IMPORTANT - PARADE GUIDELINES AND RULES
PLANNING YOUR ENTRY
• All entries must match a holiday theme or the parade theme, “My Favorite Things”. The parade is presented by Primrose School of Gallatin and powered by the Gallatin Area Chamber of Commerce.
• Lineup begins at 10:30 AM for floats and 11:00 AM for walkers. Animal entries will organize in the parking lot across from the Highpoint Health Sumner Medical Building (formerly SRMC) on Steam Plant Road.
• Large walking groups (for example, scout, school, or church groups) should assemble off-site and carpool to the parade lineup. Limited access will be given to the parking lot behind Highpoint Health Sumner (SRMC Employee Lot) on Richland Avenue. First access goes to local high school bands, ROTC groups, and large car show groups. Additional staging areas may be added later. If you have access, keep your group together and ready to move at your entry number. Step off is promptly at NOON, so be ready to keep the parade moving.
• No other Santa is allowed. No Santa suits, costumes, or impersonators are permitted. Santa is provided by the Gallatin Area Chamber of Commerce.
• Entries may be historical, humorous, or modern, as long as they are in good taste. Many spectators will be children.
• All vehicles, including go-carts, golf carts, and similar vehicles, must be driven by a licensed driver and have proof of insurance. Drivers and owners are responsible for any damage or accidents at all times.
• Float entries may not exceed 12 feet in width or 14 feet in height.
• Sound amplification may be used for musical purposes only. No speeches, sales pitches, or political speeches are allowed. You may be asked to leave if you address the crowd through amplification. Systems must stay between 70–80 decibels. Marching bands are exempt. If you will have sound/music, notify the Chamber by November 20th. No sound may be added after November 20th.
• The parade will be held rain or shine. Please dress appropriately. No refunds will be given for weather-related issues.
• There will be no performance stops along the route. You may perform while moving, but you must keep moving. Please be courteous to other entries and have fun.
BEFORE THE PARADE - (Staging Area opens at 10:00 a.m. on Steam Plant Road)
Traffic on Steam Plant Road is one-way from Airport Road. Do not enter from Hartsville Pike, Bledsoe Street, or any other street. You will only be admitted from the Steam Plant Road entrance off Airport Road. No exceptions. Save time by entering the correct way the first time.
• Each entry will receive a number for its place in line. The number and entry confirmation must be picked up at one of the Mandatory Parade Participant Meetings at The Station (117 W Main St): Tuesday, December 1st at 5:30 PM or Thursday, December 3rd at 10:00 AM and 5:30 PM
If you did not attend one of these meetings, you will not be allowed to participate.
• Place the parade number on the driver side of the first vehicle or have someone carry it at the front of your group. It must be visible at the Gallatin Public Library judging station (123 Main Street). There is also a second judging site at Oak Grove Farm Store (517 W Main Street).
• You are responsible for telling all participants your number and staging/line-up information.
• Numbers will be posted on the right-hand side of Steam Plant Road to help you find your place in line.
• Steam Plant Road is limited to floats/entries and traffic dropping off materials or people only. No parking is allowed unless your vehicle is in the parade.
• A roll call of all entries will be held at 11:30 AM. Any unit not present by then will be removed. The parade starts promptly at NOON. No late arrivals will be allowed after 11:40 AM.
JUDGING
• Judges will evaluate how well your entry reflects the parade theme from the balcony at the Gallatin Public Library (123 Main Street) on the Historic Downtown Square, as well as Oak Grove Farms (517 West Main). More locations may be added later.
• Winners will be announced on or before December 18th.
• The Mayor’s Award will be judged in the parade staging area between 11:00 AM and 11:30 AM. Be ready if you want to be considered.
DURING THE PARADE
• Stay in line with your assigned number. The parade committee has planned the line-up to create variety and reduce interference between performances, music, and sirens. Music may not be added once your entry number has been assigned.
• For safety, nothing may be thrown along the route, including candy, beads, t-shirts, flyers, or literature. Walkers alongside entries may hand out candy and other items. Violations will result in removal from the parade.
• Parade speed is a maximum of 5 mph. Entries that slow down may be asked to step aside and let others pass. Entries with small children should help them keep up by providing a vehicle they can ride on or in.
• Show bikes (motorcycles) are permitted, but they may not squeal tires, rev engines, pop wheelies, or create a disturbance that endangers anyone. Violations may result in arrest and immediate removal. All motorcyclists must wear helmets.
• Be mindful of children and animals at all times. If people, especially children, are riding on your entry, remind them to keep their feet and legs from dangling off the sides for safety.
• Animal entries (horses, dogs, etc.) must clean up before, during, and after the parade. All dogs must be leashed, and complete control must be maintained.
END OF THE PARADE
• The parade ends at the Gallatin High School parking lot.
• As you enter GHS, do not stop in the middle of the street—stopping delays the parade. Pull fully into the parking lot, as far as possible, to leave room for others.
• Do not remove decorations, trash, or anything else in the parking lot unless you plan to remove all debris. Nothing may be left behind, including animal waste and paper.
• Entries wishing to leave the parking lot may exit by pulling through and out onto Hancock Street or Green Wave Drive.
PLEASE NOTE: All entries must be received by November 20, 2026. Any approved entry received after this date will have a $20 fee increase. Late entries are not guaranteed a spot. Entries must follow all rules and regulations or may be barred. The Gallatin Area Chamber of Commerce reserves the right to remove any nonconforming entrant before, during, or after assembly, or at any time during the parade.
WEATHER: If severe freezing temperatures or snow/ice occur, the parade may be canceled. Updates will be posted on the Gallatin Chamber website, www.gallatintn.org, and on social media @gallatinchamber. An email will also be sent to participants with accurate email addresses on their applications.
RELEASE AND AGREEMENT - MUST BE AGREED UPON TO PARTICIPATE!!!
I/We give the Gallatin Area Chamber of Commerce the rights and permission to copyright, publish, or use any photographic or video images of this parade entry, in whole or in part, or in composite or distorted form, with my own or fictitious name, for any lawful purpose. I waive any right to inspect or approve the finished product or advertising copy used with it.
I agree, for all participants in my/our parade entry, and release, indemnify, and hold harmless the Gallatin Area Chamber of Commerce, its planning committee, sponsors, volunteers, the City of Gallatin, and its entities from all liability, claims, damages, demands, charges, obligations, recoveries, liabilities, losses, and causes of action of any kind, including penalties, interest, attorneys’ fees, and related costs, arising from participation in the 2025 Gallatin Christmas Parade.
I/we agree to have a representative present at the mandatory participants meeting on Tuesday, December 1st at 5:30 PM, Thursday, December 3rd at 10:00 AM, or Thursday, December 3rd at 5:30 PM.
If you did not attend one of these meetings, you will not be allowed to participate. If I/We do not have a representative present, we will not be allowed to participate and our entry fee will be forfeited. I/we have read the rules and guidelines and agree to the terms of this agreement. By placing my name on the line below, I/We agree to all rules and guidelines above.