A few words about the East Valley Veterans Parade Association rules and regulations:

The East Valley Veterans Parade Association, a 501(c)(3) charity, takes responsibility for the annual parade event honoring our communities’ veterans.  The EVVPA also manages the safety standards for everyone involved in the parade: volunteers, spectators and participants.  Our rules intend to be rational and reasonable, and we’ll always err on the side of caution.  We, of course, reserve the right at all times to judge the fit of a parade entry both in harmony with the parade’s goal of “Honor and Remember” and the necessity of maintaining the parade as safe, secure and fun.  Our rules are guidelines that help explain our goal of working with every entrant in a responsible way.  Please help us by contributing to the goal of safe, secure and fun.

1) Parade entries must be patriotic, veteran-themed honoring veterans, and nonpolitical.  When you apply to be a parade participant, you agree to follow the parade route and maintain the pace set by parade staff.  Please note:  Parade units are not allowed to stop and perform routines along the route or in front of the bandstand.

2) If you want to hand out candy, flags, flyers and other approved items directly to spectators, please do so on foot and without throwing anything.  Likewise, please don’t encourage any spectator to come into the parade route to hand you anything.

3) If you decide to become a parade applicant and then entrant you must provide your own transportation and get to the appropriate parade staging area on time.  Late arrivals might find themselves left out.

4) Any vehicles in the parade must be included/described in your applications and are subject to our approval.  Anyone who drives a vehicle must be properly licensed to do so and have proof of insurance.  Please expect that we will check both license and proof of insurance before your vehicle enters the staging area.

5) Even though the parade is operated by a charity, it’s still a business, and we need your release and waiver of liability (required by our insurance company) before you ever get to the parade staging area.  By submitting your application, you acknowledge reading of these Rules, Regulations and Safety Requirements, as well as agreeing to indemnity the East Valley Veterans Parade Association, its officers, directors, volunteers, along with the City of Mesa, and hold them harmless with respect to any claim or action arising out of your involvement with the Parade.  When your group submits the application, they acknowledge this release and waiver for everyone in your group.  Each entry would do well to meet with your group to discuss this and your own safety standards along with ours.

6) We will notify you of your entry’s position in the parade, and we will provide you with an identifying number that must be prominently displayed.  You will need to provide your own signage identifying your group.

7) Some words about the trailers and platforms that make up the parade float entrants: we’ll take a close look at your hitch and the number of axles on your trailer/platform so please help us and you do the same before the day of the parade.  We expect a “commercial grade” hitch for safety along with proper height from asphalt to hitch including brake lighting and chain safety.  Please keep your group out of the space between your vehicle and the float, ask everyone to step on and off your float, and please make sure that your trailer intends to have people on it.  Help us please by carefully considering what kind of trailer/platform you’ll use, how many people might safely ride on the same, and the safest way to pull your entry.  Pick-up or flatbed trucks with passengers in the bed shall include additional safety rail barriers at least 42” from your truck bed.  If people stand or sit on your float, they should have something to hold on to, and your driver will be asked to wear a seat belt and so will passengers.

8) We like animals in the parade.  Animals require your clean up or the use of the equipment necessary to immediately clean up after an evacuation along the route, as well as in the staging and de-staging area.  Only animals under the leash or bridle of a qualified animal handler will be permitted in the Parade. The identified animal handler and his/her Parade unit sponsor will bear responsibility for any and all damages and injuries resulting from the animal in question.

9) Service animals are always welcome in the parade with the same clean up requirements.  Pets cannot be allowed at any time.

10) Your parade entry must not be dangerously combustible, and the Mesa Fire and Police Departments will be reviewing every entrant for safety before we all role out.  They’ll expect to find a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher included in your parade equipment.  The police officers and fire fighters have the final say whether a parade entrant is safe or not.

11) We are a tobacco and alcohol-free event (including other intoxicants and vaping) along the parade route, as wells as the staging and de-staging areas.

12) We try to follow a “rule of reason” in implementing these standards.  Failure to observe these requirements may result in removal from the parade, disqualification from judging/awards, ineligibility to participate in future events.

If you have any questions whatsoever, please contact our Parade Directors at 480-684-2324 ext 1 or [email protected].  We know you’ll have a great time participating and contributing to an event that honors those who keep us free and safe – our veterans.  We welcome your ideas on how we can improve the event.  Thank you and have a great experience!