Arlington 4th of July Rules & Regulation:

I. PURPOSE:

The Arlington 4th of July Association (“ASSOCIATION”) is a nonprofit, non-partisan and non-political organization. It does not promote any individual, business, social, commercial or political purpose. It is formed solely for the purpose of promoting a patriotic celebration of USA’s Independence Day. The Association is an independent organization made up of volunteers.

II. AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD:

A. The Association reserves the right to refuse any entry into the parade which does not depict the parade theme and patriotic purpose or does not adhere to the policies of the Association as stated.
B. Parade entrants agree to abide by all rules and decisions of the Association. Any misrepresentation or failure to abide by Association rules are grounds for removal from parade. Decisions of the Board are final and not subject to review by any other body.
C. No entry will be allowed to enter the parade which did not meet the application deadline or fails to provide proof of approval by the Association at the line-up area on Parade Day.
D. Although an entrant chooses the category he wishes to enter, the Association makes the final decision as to the correct category for each entrant based on the nature of the organization and type of entry.


III. POLICY:

A. BANNERS:
A. One banner preceding your entry is allowed. No size limit.
B. Banner carriers must be capable of maintaining the parade pace. If the pace of the banner carriers is impeding the parade progress the banner will be removed.

B. COMMERCIAL:
A. Entries may be sponsored by an individual business or businesses in a mutual association.
B. A logo or business name may be used on an entry, however, the entry may not be used primarily for advertising purposes and must be in keeping with the patriotic spirit of the parade. Signs must be limited to two per entry. Maximum size per sign not to exceed 24 in. x 36 in.
C. Businesses may enter any category except non-commercial floats and novice floats, subject to approval of the Association.

C. EXPENSE:
A. No limit. The use of ingenuity and creativity in the design and execution of an entry is encouraged and favored by the judging criteria.

D. HAND-OUTS OR GIVEAWAYS:
A. NO HANDOUTS OR GIVEWAYS OF ANY KIND ARE PERMITTED DURING THE PARADE.
B. Only Parade Sponsors will be permitted to distribute handouts and giveaways in conjunction with flag distribution before the parade begins.
C. For safety reasons, any activity that entices spectators to enter the parade route is discouraged.

E. PERFORMANCE:
A. Any performance along the route or in front of the judges or TV stands must be a moving/marching routine. Any entry that stops to perform shall be ineligible for an award.
B. All cheerleaders and drill teams will be partially prejudged for performance at north UTA parking lot at 7:30 A.M. Each entry shall be allowed to perform a two minute routine for the judges. Only moving marching routines will be permitted at the TV and Reviewing Stands. As cited above, any entry that stops to perform shall be ineligible for an award. Final judging is at City Hall, but DO NOT STOP AT REVIEW STAND.

F. POLITICAL
The Association is a non-political organization. Only current office holders are allowed to enter the parade. Small signs on either side of a car are permitted. No place cards or large advertising will be acceptable. Individuals or organizations who try to use the parade to further their own or others’ campaigns will be removed from the parade. Under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, tax-exempt organizations are prohibited from participating or intervening in political activities.

G. SUPPORT VEHICLES:
A. Motorized entries (floats, cars, etc.) will not be permitted to have a support vehicle.
B. Marching units and walking entries are permitted to have one support vehicle.
C. You must describe your vehicle on your supplement form to be eligible to have a support vehicle in the parade.
D. Support vehicles must be decorated.

IV. SAFETY RULES:

A. No child under eight years of age will be allowed to walk in the parade. They may ride on floats, vehicles or bicycles under adult supervision.
B. Materials used in each entry should be fire-retardant and not of a dangerous nature. An on-board fire extinguisher is required for all floats and recommended for all entries.
C. All parade participants (individual or organization) shall be required to adhere to the provisions of the Texas State Penal Code part 46.04, titled Places Weapons Prohibited and any changes thereto.
D. Bike riders must adhere to state and local laws regarding helmets.
E. Hand holds must be provided for float riders.


V. APPLICATIONS:

A. All applications must be postmarked or turned in by May 1st.
B. All Publicity Release for Announcers and Media form must be completed and returned no later than the May General Meeting.
C. LATE APPLICATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY AND ASSOCATION APPROVAL. Any application postmarked after May 1st is subject to a $25.00 fee.
D. A separate application must be submitted for each entry in parade. Example: A school that enters their baton twirlers, drum major, and color guard to be judged, must submit a separate application for each. If to be considered as one entry, submit one application only.
E. If an organization has more than one entry, please list on one of your applications, the order in which you wish them to appear. Example: Schools with cheerleaders, drum majors, band, drill team and alumni groups.

VI. CATEGORIES & JUDGING CRITERIA:

A. FLOATS:
1. RULES:
a) Floats may not exceed 50 foot in length including the tow vehicle.
b) Towing vehicles must be decorated. Points will be deducted for undecorated towing vehicles.
c) All floats shall have a skirt to cover the wheels within the bounds of safety.
d) Because of City Code, no superstructure may exceed 14 feet from street level and must be wired or otherwise secured. It must be able to go under utility wires along the parade route.

2. CATEGORIES
a) Novice Floats: for first time non-commercial entries.
b) Non-commercial Floats: for non-commercial organizations.
c) Youth: for nonprofit service organizations for youth.
d) Commercial Floats: for commercial organizations.
e) Professionally Built Floats: may be any business or non-commercial organization. Application shall be signed by a legal representative of the organization.
f) Small Business Floats: any business with less than 25 employees.

3. JUDGING CRITERIA FOR ALL FLOATS:
a) Overall appearance 1-30 points
b) Theme 1-20 points
c) Originality & creativity 1-15 points
d) Music-(Canned: 1-10 pts., Live 10-20 pts.) 1-20 points
e) Crowd appeal 1-15 points
f) Possible total points 100 points
g) Note: 10 points deducted for undecorated tow vehicle

B. VEHICLES:
1. CATEGORIES
a) Classic/Antique Car Clubs (25 years of age). Clubs only (8 cars per club maximum).
b) Antique vehicle (Model 1941 or older) - Individual.

2. JUDGING CRITERIA FOR ALL VEHICLES:
a) Classic/Antique Vehicles will be prejudged at lineup area by highly qualified judges.
b) Car club entries with less than 4 vehicles will not be judged.

C CHEERLEADERS:
1. JUDGING CRITERIA
a) Performance (partially prejudged at UTA lineup area) 1-60 points
b) (Jumps-15 pt., motions-15 pt., spirit-15 pt., performance-15 pt.)
c) Decorated support vehicle 1-10 points
d) Crowd appeal and marching routine 1-30 points
e) Possible total points 100 points

D. DRILL TEAMS:
1. JUDGING CRITERIA
a) Performance (partially prejudged at UTA lineup area) 1-50 points
b) Overall appearance 1-20 points
c) Crowd appeal and marching routine 1-30 points
d) Possible total points 100 points

E. MARCHING UNITS: (Categories: Youth and Adult)
1. JUDGING CRITERIA
a) Overall appearance 1-30 points
b) Precision 1-30 points
c) Special effects 1-20 points
d) Crowd appeal 1-20 points
e) Possible total points 100 points

F. MARCHING BANDS:

AISD Bands have judging criteria that is established by experienced band judges.

G. MUSIC: (All other musical entries except marching bands)

10 extra points to be given for live music only.

H. CLOWNS:
1. JUDGING CRITERIA
a) Overall appearance 1-30 points
b) Performance 1-30 points
c) Crowd Appeal 1-40 points
d) Possible total points 100 points

I. MOUNTED UNITS:

Judged by experienced Judges.
Judging begins at lineup area at 8:00 A.M.

J. UNIQUE: (Categories: Commercial and Non-Commercial)

Any entry that does not fit in any other category. Divided into commercial and non-commercial entries, with trophies awarded in each category.
1. JUDGING CRITERIA
a) Overall appearance 1-40 points
b) Crowd appeal 1-20 points
c) Uniqueness and originality 1-40 points
d) Possible total points 100 points

K DIGNITARIES: (Not for judging)

This category includes elected officials, sponsors of the 4th of July celebration, Grand Marshall, and invited dignitaries
.
L. COMMUNITY SERVICE: (Not for Judging)

This category is limited to the official vehicles of non-profit organizations
(e.g. Red Cross, Handitran, etc.).

VII. AWARDS:

A. GRAND PRIZE WINNER: Trophy awarded for the best overall entry, commercial or non-commercial, selected following the parade. This entry must be of a patriotic nature.
B. MAYOR’S AWARD: Non-commercial entry which best depicts the parade theme chosen before parade begins at the line-up area, between 8:00-8:45 AM. Winner will be placed behind Mayor’s car in the parade line-up. Mayor’s Award winner is not eligible for any other award.
C. SPIRIT AWARD: Presented to the entry which best personifies a spirit of dedication, ingenuity, originality, and enthusiasm and brings the greatest pleasure to and response from the spectators. Awarded by a panel chosen by the Board of Directors of the Association, which will be stationed along the route.
D. DIRECTORS AWARD: For an outstanding entry in any category. To be selected Directors of the Association.
E. HONORABLE MENTION: May be selected by all judges or any 2 judges in their category. Head Judge must approve.
F. FIRST, SECOND & THIRD PLACE: May be chosen in each category. All winners will receive awards.