HOLLISTER LIGHTS ON CELEBRATION ENTRY APPLICATION

Saturday, November 29, 2025

Theme “Christmas Around the World”
Parade Start Time: 5:30 pm

Location: Hollister, California - Downtown District

Parade Route: One mile – Start at Haydon and San Benito Streets. Proceed north on San Benito Street to Fifth Street in downtown Hollister.

Anticipated Attendance: 10,000

One of Hollister’s most cherished holiday traditions, the Lights On Parade, is now accepting entry applications!

We’re looking for entertaining, creative, and engaging entries that will light up downtown and delight spectators of all ages. Whether you’re part of a band, float, drill team, dance group, comedy act, military unit, or equestrian team, we welcome your organization to apply.

We encourage entries that think outside the box — something fun, festive, and memorable! If you’re looking for ideas or guidance, we’re happy to help.

Please note:

Be sure to review the general parade guidelines
Apply early for the best chance at being included — space is limited
All entries are subject to approval by parade organizers
Accepted participants will receive notification via email
For more details and updates, please visit:
www.downtownhollister.org

Let’s make this year’s parade a celebration to remember!
Deadline for Entry October 24

Completed application including script is required for consideration
Parade Year*

2025
Organization Name*
Mailing Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Contact Name*

First NameLast Name
Primary Phone*
Parade Day Phone
Email Address*
example@example.com
Website Address
Alternate Contact

First NameLast Name
Alternate Contact Phone
Entry Classification*

Non-Profit Community Organization / Individual / SchoolCommercial Business

Entry Fees

Commerical Business Entry Fee

$200.00

Non-Profit / Individual / School

$40.00

Total

$0.00

Credit Card

ENTRY TYPE
Payment by check acceptable and payable to:

Hollister Downtown Association, 350 Sixth Street, Suite 102, Hollister, CA 95023
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

SPECIALTY UNIT - Clowns, Dance Team, Cheer Team, Baton Group, Costumed Group

VEHICLE - Antique or Vintage, Individual, Car Club, Unique, Fire Truck
ENTRY TYPE*

BANDEQUESTRIAN (see additional info needed below)FLOAT (see additional info needed below)GUESTMARCHERSSPECIALTY UNITVEHICLE (see additional info needed below)
PARADE AWARDS: Best of Parade–$100 cash prize

$40 cash prizes for the following:

Best Use of Lights, Best Use of Theme, Best Community Group, Best Drill–Dance Group
ENTRY DESCRIPTION / SCRIPT
Description of Entry*
Please provide a complete description of the entry. Explain, what your entry will look like in the parade. Provide theme, music, costumes, decorations, uniforms, etc.
Announcer Script (up to 65 words)*

0/65
NOTE: Width and Height - Your entry may not exceed 12 feet in width and 13 feet in height from the ground. Vehicles with trailers are limited to 40 feet total length, including the tow vehicle. Entries exceeding limits will be removed from the parade lineup.
Number of Participants in Entry*
Total Number of People in Entry
Approximate Length of Entire Entry (in feet) *
Needed for staging are
Float Size - Length, Width, Height
Maximum Length 40' (including tow vehicle) Maximum Height - 13' / Maximum Width - 12'
VEHICLE

Single - AntiqueCollectors ClubOther
Number of Vehicles (limit 6 per club)
Limit 6 cars per club
EQUESTRIAN

Team / PosseHorse Drawn WagonOther
Number of Horses
Limit 6 horses per entry
Other than marching bands, does your entry have music or sound?

YesNo
If YES for music or sound, please describe:
Are any vehicles required to accompany this entry?

YesNo
If YES on additional vehicles, how many? Describe:
Additional comments or requests:
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES

Please read, print or download entry requirements and general guidelines before submitting.
Parade Guidelines
As an authorized representative of this organization/business and its participating members, I/we hereby understand and agree to accept the risk of bodily injury and/or property damage which I/we may incur or cause a third party to incur as a result of my/our participation in the Hollister Downtown Association, Lights On Celebration. With this understanding, I/we further agree to indemnify, defend and save harmless the City of Hollister and the Hollister Downtown Association, its Boards, its Commissions and their respective officers, agents, and employees from and against any and all claims, losses, injuries, suits and judgments arising from, or in connection with my successors, assigns, heirs, executors and administrators, and any other persons or entities who/which may have a claim based on my/our personal injuries and/or property damage. I/we further understand and agree that this hold harmless and indemnification shall apply to and for all facilities that the City of Hollister and Hollister Downtown Association may own and/or control. I understand that the risk of becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 in connection with my participation in this event and I personally assume this risk. Furthermore, I/we have read and agree to abide by the Lights On Celebration Parade guidelines and rules, as shown in the pages provided and those to be presented with the participant's information package if my/our unit is accepted. Authorized Representative and Driver signatures below indicate attached rules and regulations have been read. Failure to comply will result in removal from parade and inability to enter future Lights on Celebration parades.
I have read, agree and accept all parade guidelines, hold harmless and general information as an authorized representative of this organization. I understand that failure to comple will result in our removal from the parade and inability to enter future Lights on Celebration parades.*

I accept
I/we acknowledge that there is NO THROWING OF FAVORS: This includes but is not limited to: No CANDY, No INFLATABLE OR OTHER TYPES OF BALLS, NOTHING! This is due to insurance liability and must be followed to remain in the parade or future parades.*

I acknowledge
I/we acknowledge that Santa costumes are not permitted in the parade as there is only one official SANTA provided by the Hollister Downtown Association*

I acknowledge
Authorized Representative*

First NameLast Name
I/we acknowledge a representative from our organization will attend the manatory safety meeting*

I acknowledge
Meeting Attendee Name

First NameLast Name
Date Submitted

MonthDayYear
Questions/Contact:

Hollister Downtown Association - 831-636-8406 - events@downtownhollister.org
Should be Empty:

Credit Card

ENTRY TYPE

ENTRY DESCRIPTION / SCRIPT

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES