BEDFORD – The registration period to be a part of the Bedford Christmas Parade ends next Sunday, November 19th. Make sure to get your info in before then to take part.
Do not delay in registering for your free parade entry, as the parade ran out of space to accept entries last year. You are wanted in the parade, but your registration form will be needed to make that happen as soon as possible. The absolute deadline for your parade entry is November 19, 2023. In the past late entries have been accepted, but it’s important for you to know that late entries this year will NOT be accepted.
You can easily register online at www.DowntownBedford.org/parades to register before the firm deadline.
Before you register, it’s important for you to know and understand what you are registering for, so be sure that you read the parade rules thoroughly.
Parade Rules & Guidelines
1. No parade unit will be allowed in the parade line-up without a properly completed entry form.
2. No sirens or other forms of horns that emit loud piercing sounds will be allowed during the parade.
3. All parade units must be decorated in a Patriotic theme for Limestone Heritage Festival or a Christmas theme for the Bedford Christmas parade (which requires lights as part of your entry – see 3A and 3B for additional information) NO SANTA COSTUMES OR IMPERSONATORS are permitted in the Bedford Christmas Parade (as we have ONE Santa that we hire to ride in the end).
3A. If a generator is being used to provide power to run the entry, 16/3 AWG (min size) power cords are required, and please be sure to have extra fuel in an approved container on your float or towing vehicle. An approved ABC fire extinguisher will be required. A Fire Marshall will inspect all entries using a generator during the lineup. Those not complying with this safety precaution will not be allowed in the parade. For safety reasons, do not attempt to refuel your float while it is in motion or during the parade itself – refueling is permissible only before the start of the parade.
3B. An approved ABC fire extinguisher is required for any float or other entry using gasoline or other flammable substance.
4. A clearance shall be maintained around equipment that gets hot when running for the following: ordinary combustibles (paper, wood, plastic, etc.) of not less than three (3) feet and not less than ten (10) feet for approved fuel containers.
5. Anything deemed to be a potentially dangerous situation by the fire inspector, you will be required to correct.
6. Entries are NOT permitted to throw candy, literature, or any other items from a moving parade unit. If you do have something to pass out it must be handed out while walking. This is for the safety of spectators as well as participants and will be strictly enforced. WALKERS MUST BE ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH PARADE PACE OR THEY NEED TO RIDE. Toss candy items to the curbs, versus hand to hand distribution.
7. Do not leave your parade entry in the lineup area until you are properly placed by a Lions Club member.
8. Please do not fall behind. Maintain the same spacing, no more than 40’ gap, behind the unit in front of you as you had when you were released from the parade formation site.
9. Walkers must be with a vehicle or float and be able to keep up with parade flow. If not they need to get on their float or vehicle. Walkers may be separated from the vehicle in the parade if they are not able to keep up and have no way of being transported, as the driver of the vehicle will be asked to close the gap.
10. Performances must be conducted in motion along the parade route. NO STOPPING TO PERFORM ON THE PARADE ROUTE.
11.  Make sure you finish the entire route. The parade route ENDS at 13th and Lincoln Ave. Parade Entrants can go NORTH on Lincoln or WEST onto 13th Street. Visit www.DowntownBedford.org for Parade Route Map & Line up #’sÂ
12. BRI Parade Committee reserves the right to disqualify a parade entry from participating in the parade at our sole discretion.
13. A maximum of 20 vehicles will be permitted for a single entry in the Bedford Christmas Parade due to limitations of space in the line up area and to allow representation for other organizations or businesses in the parade.Â
