Parade Rules

PARADE UNIT RULES, GUIDELINES AND INFORMATION

  1. The Sycamore Pumpkin Festival Parade Committee reserves the right to restrict, limit, accept, or reject any unit application.  If your group is accepted for parade participation, you will receive a confirmation letter containing your Parade unit number, and additional parade information via email after Oct. 15, 2026. Note the staging location for parade units will change this year so as not to interfere with the new fire station.
  2. Parade participants are NOT allowed to distribute pamphlets or other materials before, during or after the parade. Only participants who indicated their interest to distribute candy on the application and received Parade chair approval may do so, and they must follow all guidelines set forth by the Parade chair regarding supply and distribution. The only exception to this rule is Exchange Club of DeKalb-Sycamore Area, who has been authorized to hand out flags before the parade begins.  This rule will be strictly enforced & violation is subject to a fine, and/or not being allowed to participate in future parades.    
  3. Parade entries (excluding tow vehicles for floats) must be decorated to reflect the festival theme or seasonal decorations and provide entertainment value.  Decorations must cover a major portion of the entry. As an example, at least half of each side must be decorated to provide entertainment value and reflect the theme of the festival.  Entries not properly decorated may not be allowed to participate in the parade. 
  4. All accepted participants must sign the waiver below & return with your application and provide a certificate of insurance naming the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival Committee as additional insured.  MUST submit a Certificate of Insurance showing limits of coverage and listing the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival as an additional interest for Sunday, October 25, 2026. Copies of insurance cards or declarations pages are NOT acceptable.
  5. Only the vehicles that are listed on the application and have provided the Certificate of Insurance will be allowed to participate in the parade. Any other vehicles will be removed from the parade lineup prior to the start of the parade.
  6. Due to limited space, only 2 vehicles will be allowed per entry. No semi-tractor trailers or large commercial trucks will be allowed, unless approved by the parade chair.
  7. We have limited locations for entries that play music or use horns/sirens due to the number of bands and performance groups we have.  Please do not play music or sounds if it is not required for your unit and included on your application.Units emitting excessively loud music or sounds from their parade unit will not be permitted to continue in the parade.
  8. Groups are limited to 40 people per entry unless approved by the Parade chair.
  9. Entry Fees (exempt- Police, Fire, & EMT’s, Family & Neighborhood Float Entries and Walking Youth Groups) and Insurance are required & must be submitted with the application.  The organization’s insurance agent may send a pdf via email directly to the parade chair.
  10. No advertisements allowed other than the parade entry itself.
  11. No political units may participate in the 2026 parade.  This includes, but is not limited to signs, banners, t-shirts, or flags for any candidate or party and political displays of any kind within any approved participating unit.
  12. Registration deadline is September 1, 2026.