Parade Selection Process
Starting on September 15, 2009, Parade Entry Applications will be accepted. Last year our parade committee received a record number of participant registrations and unfortunately we had to turn down some applications. We are limited to 2 hours for this parade and selections are sometimes based on the space made available for such an entry. A completed application along with payment of the proper fee(s) and your event insurance policy, must be included in order to be considered by our committee. For more information, see the Official Bakersfield Christmas Parade website at www.bcparade.com, then click on General Info and Rules & Regulations.
After the November 2, 2009 deadline date, the parade committee will begin the process of entry selections. If your entry is selected, your application contact person will be notified by e-mail, fax, or mail no later then November 6, 2009. Applicants not selected will receive a letter from our committee and paid fee(s) will be returned. If selected, a representative of your group is required to attend a mandatory pre-parade meeting to receive your Parade Unit number and other information. That information will not be given out by phone. Our Parade Entry Application includes a meeting information page with information on the date, time and place for this meeting.
Parade entry selections will be based only on your written application and any visuals that you can provide (8.5 X 11 inch drawing is always helpful). Please, remember that the whole point of this event is to entertain the crowd in the lead up to the arrival of jolly Ol’ Saint Nick. With that in mind, we highly encourage you to design your entry around a festive theme and include as much motion, sound, and/or traditional Christmas music as possible.
Not all floats will be involved in the judging process. If your group plans to enter a float and would like to be included in the judging, please be sure to indicate that on your application by checking the appropriate box.
Our local school band and/or drill team entries are selected by a rotation process. These applications will be evaluated by our Band Director’s committee. Once their selection is completed, your school or organization will be notified by e-mail, fax or mail. The parade committee reserves the right to invite out of town guest band/auxiliary units.
Pamela Carlock,
Parade Coordinator