Participant Guidelines
Rules & Regulations
The official parade committee rulebook for every participant. Review each section carefully before parade day — all registered units agree to follow these policies.
Table of Contents
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Arrival & Check-In
All entries must arrive for lineup at their assigned time between 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM, in tight windows to keep traffic flowing and avoid congestion.
- 1All entries must enter staging on Woodrow Street at Main Street (next to Front Porch Realty) and check in with a parade volunteer at the intersection of Woodrow Street and Faucette Street — failure to check in may mean your group isn’t announced at the main stage.
- 2Only vehicles participating in the parade are permitted in the staging area; drop-off vehicles are not allowed to enter, and once in staging, vehicles may not exit except in an emergency. Late arrivals must walk in from any barricade surrounding the staging area.
- 3Participants may be dropped off at designated drop-off locations; group leaders are responsible for escorting participants from drop-off to their assigned staging location.
- 4Each entry must designate a group leader who checks in with parade coordinators at the Faucette St & Woodrow St intersection and is responsible for all vehicles, equipment, and individuals associated with the entry. All vehicles must be street-legal and in proper working order.
- 5Late arrivals are not permitted. Entries must arrive during their assigned staging window between 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM — entries that miss check-in may not be placed in the lineup, and no refund will be issued.
Road Closures
Plan your arrival around the following closures so you reach staging on time.
- 1Main Street closes at 3:30 PM; several other roads close at 1:00 PM — plan arrival accordingly.
Content & Conduct
The parade is a family-friendly community celebration. Every entry is expected to reflect that spirit.
- 1Entries must not display rude, vulgar, obscene, or questionable markings, signs, or music.
- 2No political signs or messaging of any kind are permitted.
- 3No offensive music — kid-friendly music is strongly encouraged.
- 4No entry may include individuals dressed as Santa Claus; the Official Fuquay-Varina Christmas Parade Santa is the only Santa permitted.
- 5Please respect the instructions and directions given by parade volunteers, who are there to ensure the safety and organization of the staging area.
Safety Requirements
These requirements protect participants, spectators, and property along the route. Violations may result in removal from the parade.
- 1No drones and no live animals are allowed in the parade.
- 2Motorcycles must comply with all North Carolina state laws, including proper helmet use; burnouts are prohibited by FVPD.
- 3Pre-decorated floats have weight limitations and can accommodate up to 12 riders; float drivers may reduce the number of riders or withdraw a float if weight limits aren’t respected.
- 4Revving or racing of motors is strictly prohibited during lineup and along the route; no quick starts or stops; vehicles must travel single-file.
- 5Careless vehicle operation results in removal from the parade and notification of the Fuquay-Varina Police Department.
- 6Entries must comply with all town height and weight restrictions for vehicles traveling through Downtown Fuquay-Varina — if your entry may exceed limits, contact WMFS at 919-552-4947, 984-289-6210, or 919-454-3487 for pre-approval.
- 7All parade vehicles must have headlights on once dark — ideally on at all times during staging and along the route.
- 8Candy must be handed out by walkers positioned at the sides and in front of vehicles — never thrown from vehicles, and never tossed from open truck beds. Do not store candy in open truck beds where it can spill into the roadway, and never encourage children to enter the roadway.
During the Parade
Keep the parade flowing smoothly from start to finish for a great experience along the entire route.
- 1Once the parade starts, entries must keep moving at a steady pace with no more than two car lengths between entries to prevent gaps.
- 2Candy or other items may not be thrown from floats or vehicles — candy must be handed out by walkers positioned at the sides and in front of vehicles, safely and without slowing the parade’s pace. Children must never be encouraged onto the parade route, and candy must not be stored in open truck beds where it can spill into the roadway.
- 3Entries may not unload or exit the parade route before the parade concludes.
- 4Watch for the raised crosswalk in front of Town Hall on Main Street — barricades will guide parade flow around it.
Entry Size & Route
Know the size limits and the official route before you register and decorate.
- 1Each entry is limited to 20 participants (25 for dance groups and marching bands); groups exceeding 25 must secure and pay for a second parade entry.
- 2Participant caps are enforced at check-in: headcounts are verified against your application, and groups whose actual headcount exceeds their reported count may be removed from the lineup to protect staging and crowd safety.
- 3For route safety, entries must be no wider than 9 feet. Entries that cannot fit the route must be reconfigured or may be removed.
- 4The entry application requires your float dimensions (approximate length and width in feet), the number and type of vehicles, and the staging space your entry needs. Lineup spaces are marked from these reported figures, and the committee follows up with each group to confirm before parade day.
- 5Route: starts at Academy Street & S. Fuquay Avenue (near the Law Office of John Adcock) and ends at Main Street & Woodrow Street (near Front Porch Realty).
- 6Exit procedure: all entries must re-enter the staging area at Woodrow Street and exit at Church Street & Ennis Street — no exiting along Faucette Street onto Ennis Street.
Weather, Cancellation & Refunds
The parade is held rain or shine. Please review the cancellation and refund policy before registering.
- 1The parade takes place rain or shine, unless a state of emergency or municipal restriction prevents it.
- 2In the event of cancellation, the parade will not be rescheduled.
- 3Due to necessary non-refundable expenditures, no refunds will be provided to sponsors or parade entries, even in the event of cancellation.
No Throwing Candy
Hand items directly to attendees at the curb — never toss from a moving float.
One Santa Only
The Official Parade Santa is the only Santa permitted — no other Santa costumes.
Rain or Shine
The parade runs regardless of weather, and no refunds are issued if it is cancelled.
Ready to Join the Parade?
Review the registration fees, reserve a float, or sign up to volunteer. Questions about these rules? Contact the parade committee at wmfsociety@gmail.com