Participate

 

Celebrate The Dream with us as a parade entry.

Thank you for your interest in participating as an entry in the 2024 45th Annual Winter Haven Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Parade. It is sure to be an exciting and fun event, bringing our whole community together in unity to celebrate Spreading Hope, Courage, and Unity.

Complete the form to receive a Parade Entry Application. *A Parade Entry Application will be emailed to you once the form is completed.

Please read the following,

Winter Haven MLK Parade Safety Guidelines, Rules and Regulations:

The following safety rules and regulations have been established to assure the quality of the parade for both participants and spectators, and are for public safety.

  • COVID-19 Update: To promote safety and limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus, we have put safety guidelines in place for all special events. These protocols include mandatory physical distancing of vendors, sanitation stations, maximum park capacity, etc. These requirements fall in line with the CDC’s best practices for events and gatherings.

  • All units admitted to the parade staging area must have properly signed staging passes issued by the Winter Haven MLK Commemorative Parade Commission. Units arriving at the staging area without the proper passes will not be allowed into staging. A designated Safety Monitor for the unit shall work with the Winter Haven MLK Commemorative Parade Commission and City of Winter Haven Police Department to ensure all safety precautions and rules are followed prior to, during and at the end of the event.

  • Participants must have banners or signage identifying group or organization. All banners or signage must be neatly lettered and legible.

  • Drivers of vehicles must maintain control of their vehicles. Participants are prohibited from throwing candy or gifts from floats or vehicles. Candy or gifts can be distributed to spectators by walking curb side of the parade route.

  • Units must always move forward to maintain their positions; this eliminates or reduces gaps. If stops occur, move forward at walking pace until gap is eliminated. All units are required to close gaps between units when instructed by parade officials. A space of 50 feet between each unit will be enforced. Maximum speed limit is 5 mph.

  • Parade participants are not allowed to ride on the outside of moving vehicles; riding on hoods, fenders, sides or roofs of vehicles is prohibited.

  • Parade participants will not jump from or onto a float or motorized vehicle.

  • Stopping or reversing motion will result in removal from the parade and will jeopardize future participation. At no time will any unit be permitted to stop and perform along the Parade route.

  • Units composed of live animals (i.e. horses) must be followed by a clean-up crew throughout the parade, this also includes staging area. Animals must be trained and controlled. Any mishaps are the exclusive responsibility of the unit representative.

  • Music with profanity is prohibited.

  • NO alcohol or illegal substances consumption by parade participants.

  • Participants must observe all applicable safety rules and regulations and follow instructions from the police and parade officials. Parade officials can remove unit(s) from parade route if rules are violated.