Parade Participant Guidelines

  TIME & ROUTE

• Staging and line-up will be at the First United Bank Center, Canyon parking lot. All floats and parade entries MUST enter the parking lot through the two designated entrances on 4th Ave.
• Check-in will begin at 11:00 a.m. - If your vehicle is not in the parade you will need to park in the designated area on the North side of the First United Bank Center and walk to the parade line-up. 
  All parade entries and participants must be in line by 12:30 pm.  Parade begins at 1:00 pm.
• Only vehicles listed on the registration application are permitted in the parade. No exceptions!
• To ensure excellence in presentation and efficiency in coordination, placement within the parade lineup is at the discretion of the WTAMU Parade Coordinators and the University Police Department.
• DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS SEPTEMBER 27th.

PARADE ROUTE  -  The parade will begin at the First United Bank Center and proceed west on Russell Long Blvd.  The parade will end at Victory Drive.  Safety officials will be at the end of the parade route to direct parade exit. It is encouraged for parade participants to disembark from their float at Zone 12 (by the box), Mary Moody Northern Hall, or at Randall County before the float returns to the First United Bank Center.  Note: the parade route includes one sharp turn - please make your vehicle driver aware. Large floats may turn into Randall County and wait until the parade has ended to return to the First United Bank Center via Russell Long Blvd.

FLOAT GUIDELINES

• Name of organization must be visibly displayed on the float/trailer/vehicle or by the marching unit. 
• Pomping is strongly encouraged but is not required to participate, or for judging.
• All parade entries should be decorated in keeping with the Homecoming theme, WT is Out of this World (Space-Themed.)
• Student and Campus Organizations - You are representing West Texas A&M University. Good judgment should be used in decorating floats . The West Texas A&M University Homecoming Committee reserves the right to refuse any entries with objectionable/inappropriate material or theme.

GENERAL PARADE GUIDELINES

• The maximum speed limit of the parade is 5 miles per hour.
• Give-A-Ways: For the safety of our viewers and particularly our children, distribution of any item FROM the moving vehicle is prohibited . Walkers may hand out candy or other items. Please do not distribute any item that bounces or could create a safety hazard for drivers or guests.
• For safety reasons, individuals on floats/trailers MUST remain on the float/trailer until their float is at a complete stop and parked. Individuals may not jump on and off the float/trailer during the parade. 
• Any individual who shows or exhibits inappropriate behavior will be asked to leave the parade.
• MAINTAIN FORWARD MOVEMENT AT ALL TIMES: Please keep up with the parade pace and do not allow large gaps to appear between you and the group in front of you. Remember there are units behind you that will be affected by slowing or stopping.
• Riding Groups are required to ride at the end of the parade and must provide their own animal waste removal. The Homecoming Committee will NOT provide this service.

JUDGING

• Judging is open to the community as well as campus and student organizations!
• Judging will be based on Creativity, adherence to Theme, Craftsmanship, School Spirit, Overall Appearance, and Enthusiasm.
• Winners will be notified via phone or e-mail contact from the registration form.
• Prizes for each category are:

Student Organizations

Large Float:

1^st place $300
2^nd place $200
3^rd place $100

Small Float:

1^st place $300
2^nd place $200
3^rd place $100

People’s Choice (Text-to-Vote) - $100

 

WTAMU STUDENT & CAMPUS ORGANIZATIONS

Organizations may be eligible for up to a $200 reimbursement for float supplies and materials. Submit this form for reimbursement by October 31st. Expenses for tax and for candy, gifts, etc. to distribute to the audience will not be reimbursed.