Parade Registration

 

The Grand Old 4th Parade is a beloved Bainbridge Island tradition and one of the highlights of the day’s celebration.

The parade route is approximately one mile, traveling down Madison Avenue and Winslow Way, with the finish line just before the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce office. Parade entries will be staged along Wallace Way and Ericksen Avenue, similar to previous years.

The parade takes place from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.

Spectators line the streets throughout downtown Winslow, and the community will once again be invited to vote for their favorite parade entries.

This is a chance to have fun, get creative, and show some island spirit. Past favorites have included:

Vintage cars packed with Rotarians
Creative and innovative floats
Youth sports teams
Student robotics clubs
Wacky costumes and themed groups
And of course… candy
Registration is open to everyone in our community, including our off-island neighbors.

This year we are offering a standard registration fee for most entries and a discounted rate for nonprofit organizations. Registration fees help cover the cost of producing the Grand Old 4th celebration each year.

If the registration fee presents a barrier to participation, limited scholarships are available on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the Chamber directly to discuss.

All participants will receive detailed staging, arrival, and day-of instructions closer to July 4th.

Registration closes Friday, June 12

A $25 LATE FEE WILL BE APPLIED TO REGISTRATIONS RECEIVED AFTER JUNE 12TH

Have questions, comments, or anything we should know? Reach out anytime at grandold4th@bainbridgechamber.com.

To help you plan ahead, please note the following general parade logistics. Final details, maps, and instructions will be provided in a participant information packet closer to the event date.

Road closures will begin in the late morning, with staged areas restricted to parade participants only once closures are in place.

Parade staging is expected to occur late morning to early afternoon in designated zones throughout downtown Winslow.

All parade entries will be required to arrive and be in place prior to the parade start time. Late arrivals may not be permitted to join once staging is complete.

The parade is anticipated to take place in the early afternoon.

Check-In & Staging
There will be no central check-in location. Participants will check in within their assigned staging zone.

Volunteers will be on-site to assist with placement, distribute parade numbers, and provide instructions.

Parade Placement
Parade order and placement will be thoughtfully determined by the event team based on a variety of factors to ensure overall efficiency, safety, and an engaging experience for attendees.

While we are unable to guarantee or accommodate specific placement requests, we will do our best to group similar entries together when possible (for example, coordinating related groups such as cheer and football organizations).

Important Notes
Please plan to arrive early and allow extra time for road closures and limited access.

Specific staging zones, routes, and load-in instructions will be assigned and shared in advance.

For safety, all participants must follow event guidelines, including restrictions on throwing items into the crowd.

Handing out candy and small giveaways is part of the fun of the Grand Old 4th Parade. Please use good judgment when sharing items with the crowd.

For everyone’s safety, participants should not encourage spectators, especially children, to step into the street or enter the parade route to collect items.

Throwing candy, merchandise, water, or any other objects into the crowd is not allowed. This includes water balloons, water guns, or similar items.

If you would like to distribute candy or giveaways, please have walkers safely hand items to spectators along the edge of the route.

Entries that throw items into the crowd may be removed from the parade and may not be allowed to participate in future Grand Old 4th events.

Have fun and be a good neighbor. The Grand Old 4th Parade is a community celebration with many moving parts and a diverse crowd that includes a lot of children. Parade participants are expected to lead by example and help keep the event welcoming and safe for everyone.

Alcohol, vaping, and smoking are not permitted in the parade lineup or during the parade. Participants who appear intoxicated will be removed from the parade.

Political entries may participate in the parade, but campaigning or promoting political agendas is not permitted. Only candidates and officials representing Bainbridge Island may participate. Parade entries should not advocate for or against political issues during the event. The Grand Old 4th is meant to be a fun community celebration for everyone.

Event producers reserve the right to remove any participant or entry that does not follow these guidelines or basic community standards. Participants are expected to follow the directions of event staff, Bainbridge Island Police Department, and Bainbridge Island Fire Department. Failure to do so may result in removal from the parade and possible restriction from participating in future Grand Old 4th events.

I agree to defend, indemnify, and hold the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce and City of Bainbridge Island and their employees, agents, and contractors harmless from and against any and all claims (including those for illness and bodily injury), damages, liabilities, and expenses (including attorney fees) arising out of or relating in any way whatsoever to my participation or the participation of my employees, agents, and invitees in the Grand Old 4th on Bainbridge Island.

The Bainbridge Island Chamber produces the Grand Old 4th each year on a shoestring budget, made possible by the support of our partners and an incredible network of volunteers. Registration fees are only one piece of what helps make this celebration possible. Thank you for being part of this Bainbridge Island tradition.