2026 CHILDREN & ADULT PARADE RULES & REGULATIONS
Glossary:
- A visiting entry is one in which the owner(s), and/or legal business entity resides or conducts banking/business outside the United States Virgin Islands. If so they will be ineligible to compete for prizes.
- A competing entry is one seeking consideration for a prize.
- A traditional entry consists of one of the following: a clown, an Indian, a mocko jumbie, a quadrille dancer, a masquerader, or a Zulu entry.
- A floupe is a combination of a troupe and a float.
- If a float is incorporated into the presentation of a majorette group or a traditional entry, the float will not be eligible for a separate prize.
- Heavy Truck are ones such with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of over 26,000 pounds. For example, Semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, those with 20ft, 30ft, or 40ft trailers attached, and large box trucks.
- Light Trucks are ones such as F150, Tundra, Sierra, Silverado etc...
- Designated Truck Assembly Points
- Children's Parade starts from the Inspector General Building along with Kronprindsens Gade
- Adults Parade starts from the Corner of VITELCO Building & Western Cemetry along Judy Highway
1. All parade entries, their members, and any support personnel shall comply with all instructions issued by authorized parade officials and police officers. Failure to do so may result in competition point deductions, disqualification from competition, removal from the parade, and/or suspension from future parade events.
a) The first infraction will be in the form of a warning which will result in a deduction of fifteen (15) points from each judged scorecard.
b) The second infraction will result in being escorted off the parade route. If expulsion cannot be completed without disruption of the parade, the troupe will have to forfeit participation in the subsequent year across the territory parades.
2. Parade entrants and all accompanying vehicles to be used for parade execution (i.e. heavy trucks, drink trolleys, pickup trucks, etc.) must assemble at the designated/assigned/labeled parade line-up point outlined herein by 9:00 A.M. No vehicles will be permitted to enter the route after 9:00 A.M. All vehicle drivers and at least one entrant representative must be present no later than 10:00 A.M.
Trucks that Break Down, Sound Issues, or Band Not in Attendance
a) Failure to maintain the proper functioning or operation of your truck will result in the forfeiture of your designated space within the parade, with no exceptions. It is imperative that you ensure the operational readiness of your truck on the day of the parade.
b) If your sound system is malfunctioning, you will be permitted to make repairs while driving; however, if the repairs are not feasible, you must proceed on the route without music or risk forfeiting your space and having your truck removed from the road, NO EXCEPTIONS. Therefore, it is imperative that you ensure your sound system is in proper working condition on the day of the parade.
c) If your band is not present when it is time to move, the truck and troupe must continue along the route until band members arrive. No exceptions are permitted. If the truck and troupe do not move, the troupe will forfeit its space, and the truck will be removed from the road. Ensure that your band is present when the truck is scheduled to move along the route.
3. All vehicles, including those equipped with music and refreshments, must be decorated before assembly. Troupes must be identified with their name and entry number on a banner at least 6 feet by 3 feet. A refreshment vehicle is not considered a float. Floats and any trucks that do not comply with the regulations will not be permitted to participate in the parade.
4. All floats and trucks shall not exceed 13 feet in height from the ground, including the vehicle with the entry number.
5. Entry shall remain in its assigned position throughout the parade unless reassigned by a parade marshal.
6. The duration of demonstrations at Market Square and Post Office Square will be determined based on the size of the troupe/entry and the discretion of the parade marshals. Disregard for their directives will result in penalties as outlined in Rule #1.
a) Individual Entries (3) Three Minutes
b) Entries with members under 100 (5) Five Minutes c) Entries with members over 100 (10) Ten Minutes d) Mocko Entries (10) Ten Minutes
7. No distribution of advertising products or selling of merchandise from vehicles will be permitted along the parade route.
8. The entry will be responsible for providing its description to the media, judges, and the announcer at least 48 hours before the event. Please send it to adultparadesttusvifestivals@gmail.com
9. Intoxicated truck drivers pose a significant safety risk and will be apprehended by local law enforcement authorities.
10. Individuals under the age of eighteen (18) are prohibited from participating in the adult parade. Consequently, all school entries will be relegated to the children's parade.
11. Any modifications to application information must be submitted in writing by the application's signer or their designated representative. Please send to adultparadesttusvifestivals@gmail.com
12. Each Party agrees that it shall not, directly or indirectly, make, publish, or cause to be made or published any false, misleading, or disparaging remarks, comments, or statements—written, verbal, or otherwise—regarding the other Party on any social media platform, including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter (X), Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok, blogs, or any other online forums.
13. The Division of Festivals and the Parade Committee retains the exclusive authority to approve or disapprove any entry, including the exclusion of any entry that may compromise the health, well-being, or safety of the community.
14. All parade entries, vehicles, and individuals must refrain from advertising, promoting, or displaying paraphernalia of any business entity, organization, agency, and/or any public or political candidate (whether or not successful) in the parades unless authorized explicitly by the DOF (Division of Festivals). Any entry may name its sponsor, however, the display must expressly state: "ABC Troupe sponsored by XYZ Company". The display cannot simply state XYZ Company. Therefore, banners, t-shirts, etc. that simply display a business entity, organization, agency, and/or any public or political candidate cannot be used. Any violation of this provision will result in immediate disqualification of the entry to be judged and expulsion of the entry, vehicle, and/or, individual from the parade. If expulsion cannot be completed without disruption of the parade, the offender will have to remove all advertisements, promotions, and display of paraphernalia.
15. Individuals assisting an entry who is not wearing a top made of colors that closely resemble those of the entry's costume will be prohibited from entering Post Office Square.
16. The display of toy guns or any weapon is strictly prohibited during the parade.
17. No truck will be allowed to make more than one trip around the route. Each troupe and entry will have its own specific truck(s) along the route. There will be no exceptions to this rule.
18. No water trucks or tanks or wetting spectators along the parade route.
19. All troupe or floupe costumes/bodywear options must be decorated with enhancing raw materials (i.e. gems, beads, trims, etc.)
20. No T-shirt troupes are permitted in the parade(s). Only individuals employed by or otherwise assisting a troupe/parade entry are authorized to participate on the route while wearing a T-shirt. T-shirt sections in a troupe/parade entry are expressly prohibited. This section does not prohibit a masquerader in a male section from wearing a T-shirt, vest, rashguard, or other top providing additional covering, in addition to all other costume pieces within the section. No masquerader will be allowed to participate in the parade in only a T-shirt or other top and pants.
Troupe Responsibility
a) All troupes and entries are solely responsible for their troupe, members, equipment, and all components of managing their troupe on the day of the parades. Troupes must provide a security team for their members.
b) All troupes will be required to have their trucks inspected and permitted to proceed on the parade route. Inspections will be conducted as per the schedule of the VIPD. Permits will be issued on the morning of the parade, once the trucks meet the time deadline of 9:00 AM AST. If your truck is not positioned at the designated/assigned/labeled parade line-up point before or at 9:00 AM AST, it will not be permitted on the route. No exceptions will be made.
Governments Responsibility
The Government of the US Virgin Islands through the Division of Festivals, VIWMA, DPW, & VIPD is solely responsible for the route clean up pre- & post, clear/viewable judges stand, barricades at specified points, public safety, adequate route lighting, setup of trucks and troupe route placement, and truck inspection/permits.
Important Parade Times
Next 2 Meetings: (1) Meeting is mandatory for physical attendance. Non-attendance will result in a forfeit of access to Troupe/Entry allowed on the route.
It is mandatory for all Heavy Truck Drivers must attend the April 1st meeting.
April 1, 2026 at 6:00 PM West Zanzibar (Trucks Drivers must attend)
April 25, 2026 at 6:00 PM In the Village
a) 9:00 A.M. all trucks must be on the route. (Children Parade line up from Inspcetor General Building on Kronprindsens Gade) NO EXCEPTIONS!
b) 9:00 A.M. all trucks must be on the route. (Adults Parade line up from VITELCO Corner bka Graveyard #1 on Judy Gomez Highway) NO EXCEPTIONS!
Children's Parade Starts at 10:00 A.M.
Adults Parade Starts at 10:00 A.M.
Any questions please call Marie Simeon at 340-690-2501 or Luanne Roberts 340-344-9195