WSA Holiday Parade Application Form

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Your Name* This field is required.Who is filling out this form?
First Name
Last Name
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1) What organization or group do you represent? 2) What TYPE of organization is it (for-profit business, nonprofit, dance group, etc.)* This field is required.**PLEASE NOTE: NO POLITICAL/PROTEST SIGNS OR CAMPAIGN ENTRIES ARE ALLOWED. CANDIDATES/GROUPS ARE WELCOME TO HAVE AN ENTRY WITH SIGNAGE STATING THEIR NAME ONLY, WITHOUT REFERENCING THEIR CANDIDACY. ALL OTHER SIGNS MUST BE HOLIDAY-RELATED**
3
1) What is your role within the organization? 2) Are you THE contact person for this group on the day of the Parade? If not, add the name of the DAY OF PARADE contact person below.* This field is required.
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Email of contact person* This field is required.
example@example.com
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Phone Number of contact person* This field is required.Number where this person can be reached ON PARADE DAY
Please enter a valid phone number.
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How many years has your organization participated in the WS Holiday Parade?* This field is required.
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What kind of entry will you have in the WSA Holiday Parade? There are multiple options, please scroll through to find the option that best describes your entry* This field is required.Please choose one.
Please Select
Please Select
Small Walking Group - 20 people or fewer (No vehicles)
Large Walking Group - 21 or more people (dance troupes without vehicles, bands, etc. No vehicles)
Single Car (SUV or smaller) - walkers may accompany without paying for a walking group
Two Cars (SUV or smaller) - walkers may accompany without paying for a walking group
A truck pulling a trailer - pickup truck pulling a trailer - walkers may accompany
A Float - anything larger than a passenger vehicle (commercial vehicle, flatbed truck, parade float, etc)
Other - Animal entries, etc.
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What Holiday will you be celebrating in the Parade? The parade celebrates ALL winter holidays, so we welcome and encourage entries celebrating Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, and general winter themes* This field is required.
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Your entry must be lighted, do you agree to have a well-lit entry? This applies to vehicles and walkers alike. Walking groups may wear light up necklaces, carry glow sticks, etc. This is both a safety measure and it makes the parade more festive after dark to have entries lit up* This field is required.
YESNO
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There will be people of different nationalities, age, race, faith, and gender identity at the Parade. Do you agree that you, and the organization you represent, and all those in your group attending the parade, will be kind and welcoming to all, and will only display welcoming and kind behavior?* This field is required.
YESNO
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All responsible parties must have insurance. Is your entry into the parade insured? (If accepted, the representative in charge must sign a waiver.)* This field is required.
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I understand that filling out this interest form does not constitute acceptance into the 2026 Holiday Parade, and that if my entry is not accepted, my payment will be refunded.* This field is required.
YESNO
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Please describe the vehicle you wish to have in the 2026 Holiday Parade. If you will not have a vehicle, just type "walking group".* This field is required.Size, type, color, and any other applicable descriptions.
Huge
Large
Normal
Small
Ok
Ok
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What would you like the parade commentators to say about your group? * This field is required.A short paragraph describing your group
Huge
Large
Normal
Small
Ok
Ok
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Winston-Salem Holiday Parade Rules and Guidelines

Please read and share with members of your group. You will receive a copy via email to share once your entry has been approved.

The WS Ambassadors is a welcoming organization, with special focus on making minorities and marginalized groups feel welcome. There will be people of all different ages, genders, sexual orientations, religions, and ethnicities at our Parade. It is very important that you recognize this. Kindness and welcome are the order of the day.

The WS Holiday Parade is NOT just a Christmas parade.
* Line-up will be between 2-4 pm and the parade will begin promptly at 5pm. (Please check your contact email for confirmation of YOUR assigned time.)
* All registered parade entries must report to the parade assembly area (4th and Broad checkpoint) on Saturday, December 5 at your assigned time.
* The contact person listed on your application should check-in. (Your whole group does not have to be there at check in, just your contact person and your vehicle/entry.)
* All Entries must be checked-in no later than 4:00 p.m. The Ambassadors reserve the right to cancel any entry not checked-in by 4:00 p.m. Refunds will not be issued due to late entry.

* Once checked-in, the Contact Person & Entry Vehicle must go to their line-up area and remain there until the parade begins. Vehicles are not permitted to leave from their line-up area unless specifically asked to do so by an Ambassadors team member or a police officer. The Ambassadors reserve the right to cancel any entry violating this rule, and no refunds will be issued.
* Parade entries must be registered prior to November 6, 2026. No day-of parade
entries will be permitted this year, for any reason.
* Contact person and vehicle must be present by time listed in your confirmation email to participate-NO EXCEPTIONS. However, the rest of your group may arrive anytime between your check in time and 4 PM.
* NO SANTA OR MRS CLAUS outfits allowed on your float as Santa will be on the last
entry and is a special Sponsor privilege. If we see anyone dressed as Santa or Mrs. Claus, they will be required to change or they will be asked to leave the parade.
* All vehicles and floats must be decorated and lighted! Christmas,
Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, Solstice, or general winter season decor is acceptable.

* Soliciting of any kind is prohibited.

* Only parade participants are allowed in the staging area, INCLUDING vehicles. If not appropriately labeled, cars will be towed.
* Please keep at least 20 Feet between entries while on the parade route -
keep distance and do not stop, unless specifically directed by Parade volunteers/staff.
*Please listen/pay attention to parade volunteers/staff for direction. Volunteers/Staff will be wearing a parade t-shirt.
* No alcoholic beverages allowed in or on parade route.
* The parade committee reserves the right to prohibit costumes, banners, flags, signs, logos or any other props or materials it deems inappropriate.
* Go-carts, skateboards, bicycle riders, and similar must wear helmets.
* Participants riding on floats, vehicles or any moving entry may not get off or on once the entry begins moving. Participants are either on or off the entry for the entire period of the parade.
* Only participants/groups who have been issued a number/sign may be in the parade.
* In the event of an emergency on the parade route, all participants are asked to move to the right side of the street to allow emergency services to pass in the left lane. See the Light, Pull to the Right!
* All entries with animals are responsible for cleaning up after their animals in the staging area, along the parade route, and properly disposing of all animal waste.

*All drivers of any vehicles in the Parade route must be over 18, and hold a currently valid drivers license. Drivers must have their Drivers License with them at all times during the parade.

DISTRIBUTION OF MATERIALS | Candy, samples, coupons may be HANDED to spectators, not thrown. Throwing materials will result in immediate and future banning of your involvement. We will have our volunteers take video of anyone seen throwing candy and that group will not be allowed to participate in the next year's parade.
* For the safety of all spectators, NO CANDY CAN BE THROWN, to ensure children do not run into the street. This is a city ordinance. Violation will result in not being able to be in the parade in the future.
* No political signs, including candidates for office, or hate speech of any kind is/are allowed. Each group may have signs identifying their group, but any other signs must be holiday related.
* No profanity or offensive behavior will be tolerated with the parade. This includes before the parade during the line-up/staging time period or during the actual parade or along the parade route. No drugs or weapons will be permitted in the parade assembly area or on the parade route.
* At the end of the Parade, DO NOT STOP; disperse as quickly as possible, please keep going to your vehicles/parking to free up the streets for the rest of the entrants and for the start of the Tree Lighting, which follows the immediate conclusion of the Parade.
* THE PARADE WILL GO ON RAIN, SHINE, OR SNOW. It may be cold. Please be prepared for weather of any kind, the Winston-Salem Ambassadors and the City of Winston-Salem is not responsible for any medical occurrences or emergencies, including death or dismemberment.

LIGHTING AND FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Wire and lighting devices must have sufficient capability for the use intended on the float or vehicle. Wiring should be properly secured to the float. At least one fire extinguisher should be placed within easy reach of the float driver. Extinguishers are required for floats using generators.

WALKING ENTRIES
Walkers must be at least eight (8) years old to “walk” in the parade. Children under the age of eight must ride on a float, in a stroller or inside a vehicle.
*SUPERVISION | Entries with children need to have a minimum of two adults per every 10 children present at all times for safety reasons.

*DISCLAIMER: The Parade Committee and the Winston-Salem Ambassadors reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to remove any and all individuals, groups, vehicles, floats, motorcycles, or participants of any kind from entering or continuing along the Parade route for any reason, including but not limited to, safety, perceived condition, failure to comply with Parade Staff instructions, any action(s) that may cause a delay in the Parade, and/or any violation of the rules and regulations set out in this document.

The People-
This parade is organized by the WS Ambassadors (a 501(c)3 non-profit), volunteers, and in conjunction with the City of Winston-Salem and the Winston-Salem Police Department.
We could not do it without our amazing partners, sponsors, and of course, you, the people of Winston-Salem!
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Signature* This field is required.By signing, you confirm that you have read the Rules and Guidelines and that ALL parade participants in your group will abide by these rules and guidelines.
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WAIVER AND RELEASE FROM LIABILITY FOR WS Holiday Parade

I HEREBY WAIVE AND RELEASE,
indemnify, hold harmless and forever discharge the Winston-Salem Ambassadors, and the City of Winston-Salem, and its agents, employees, officers, directors, affiliates, successors, managers and assigns, of and from any and all claims, demands, debts, contracts, expenses, causes of action, lawsuits,
damages and liabilities, of every kind and nature, whether known or unknown, in law or equity, that I ever had or may have, arising from or in any way related to my participation in any of the events or activities, conducted by, on the event described as the 2026 Winston-Salem Ambassadors Holiday Parade.

I believe the streets, and area of the event to be held, to be satisfactory for the purpose of this activity. I understand that the activities or function in which I participate may be inherently dangerous and can cause serious or grievous injuries, including bodily injury, damage to personal property and/or death.

On behalf of myself, my heirs, my business, and my organization, my assigns, and next of kin, I waive all claims for damages, injuries and death sustained to me or my property that I may have against the aforementioned released party to such activity.

By this Waiver, I assume any risk, and take full responsibility and waive any claims of personal injury, death or damage to personal property associated with Individual or Group Named, the Winston-Salem Ambassadors, and the City of Winston-Salem, including but not limited to using the streets, and its equipment and property in any manner, form or fashion, and practicing and/or engaging in the Winston-Salem Holiday Parade activities or other related activities on and off the premises.

This WAIVER AND RELEASE contains the entire agreement between the parties, and supercedes any prior written or oral agreements between them concerning the subject matter of this WAIVER AND RELEASE.

The provisions of this WAIVER AND RELEASE may be waived, altered, amended or repealed, in whole or in part, only upon the prior written consent of all parties.

The provision of this WAIVER AND RELEASE will continue in full force and effect even after the termination of the activities conducted by, in the area of, or for the benefit of the Winston-Salem Ambassadors, and the City of Winston-Salem, whether by agreement, by operation of law, or otherwise.

I have read, understand and fully agree to the terms of this WAIVER AND RELEASE. I understand and confirm that by signing this WAIVER AND RELEASE I have given up current and future legal rights. I have signed this Agreement freely, voluntarily, under no duress or threat of duress, without inducement, promise or guarantee being communicated to me.

The vehicle and/or float being driven in the 2026 Winston-Salem Holiday Parade is insured and I take full responsibility for any and all actions pertaining to it.

My signature is proof of my intention to execute a complete and unconditional WAIVER AND RELEASE of all liability to the full extent of the law. I am 18 years of age or older and mentally competent to enter into this waiver.
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Signature* This field is required.My signature is proof of my intention to execute a complete and unconditional WAIVER AND RELEASE of all liability to the full extent of the law. I am 18 years of age or older and mentally competent to enter into this waiver.
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Parade entry feesPlease scroll through the seven options below to find the appropriate fee for the entry you will have, then click on the blue box to the right of your entry to add the fee to your cart. Once you hit next, it will take you to the payment page.
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WSAHP Walking Group
This is for a walking group with 20 or fewer people. Walking groups must have a SIGN to say who you are (preferably a banner), and have some sort of lighting. FOR SAFTEY REASONS, NO CANDY MAY BE THROWN. No vehicles allowed with this type of entry.
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WSAHP Walking Group Large
This is for a walking group in the WS Ambassadors Holiday Parade over 20 people. All walking groups must have a SIGN to say who you are (preferably a banner), and have some sort of lighting. FOR SAFETY REASONS, NO CANDY MAY BE THROWN. No vehicles allowed with this type of entry.
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WSAHP One Vehicle
This is for ONE vehicle SUV size or smaller, in the WS Ambassadors Holiday Parade. All vehicles must be lit, you may have walkers who accompany your vehicle. FOR SAFETY REASONS, NO CANDY MAY BE THROWN.
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WSAHP Two Vehicles
This is for 2 vehicles, SUV size or smaller, in the WS Ambassadors Holiday Parade. All vehicles must be lit, you may have walkers who accompany your vehicle. FOR SAFETY REASONS, NO CANDY MAY BE THROWN.
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Truck Pulling a Trailer
This is for a pickup truck pulling a trailer, in the WS Ambassadors Holiday Parade. (This is separate from the 2 vehicles due to sizing specifications.) All vehicles must be lit, you may have walkers accompany your vehicle. FOR SAFETY REASONS, NO CANDY MAY BE THROWN.
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WSAHP FLOAT
This is for anything larger than a passenger vehicle. If you have any commercial size vehicle, or a flatbad truck, or a proper parade float, or something on the larger end, this is what you need to choose. All entries must be lit, you may have walkers accompany your conveyance. FOR SAFETY REASONS, NO CANDY MAY BE THROWN.
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Animal Entry
This is for an animal entry in the WS Ambassadors Holiday Parade (i.e. horses, llamas, etc.) IF you have an animal entry into the Parade, you are responsible for their care before, during, and after, including waste. If you do not comply, you will be immediately removed from the Parade route and banned from future participation. FOR SAFETY REASONS, NO CANDY MAY BE THROWN.
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Total cost
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