2021 THEME: “THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER” –

90 years ago, March 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed a congressional act making “The Star-Spangled Banner” the official national anthem of the United States. Francis Scott Key composed the lyrics after witnessing the massive overnight British bombardment of Fort McHenry in Maryland during the War of 1812. After circulating as a handbill, the patriotic lyrics were published in a Baltimore newspaper on September 20, 1814. Key’s words were later set to the tune of “To Anacreon in Heaven,” a popular English song. Get your voice warmed up and join us in celebrating our national anthem.
All parade entries should be decorated. This includes all vehicles, floats and trailers. Exceptions are classic vehicles and emergency vehicles. All walking and animal groups should have a sign or banner to let us know who they are. Extra points will be given for using the theme. Please have fun with this, get your group together and make a great entry. Keep in mind that judges will be observing from 15-20 feet away. Signs and décor need to be plainly visible from a distance. Please pay close attention to the following list and include the correct category on your entry form. This will help us to better judge contestants. All entries must have contact information including mailing address. Please remember this is a family-friendly event. Anyone who is belligerent, refuses to follow directions on the day of the parade or participates in any indecent behavior may be removed from the parade at the discretion of the Lineup Coordinator or the Parade Chairman. Any concerns should be expressed to designated Parade Officials.
PARADE CATEGORIES
Use the following information to complete the entry form on the following page. If your entry fits more than one category, please choose only one. Units must be designated as non-profit or commercial (advertising a for-profit company). Any units with animals are responsible for waste cleanup at the staging area and throughout the parade. Remember that the pavement may be too hot for your pets’ feet and that they may overheat easily.
 
A. COLOR GUARD (CAN BE EITHER WALKING OR MOUNTED)
B. SCHOOL BAND (INCLUDES MIDDLE SCHOOL OR HIGH SCHOOL-ALL PARTICIPATING BANDS WILL RECEIVE $150 FOR TRAVEL EXPENSES)
C. ANIMAL DRAWN UNITS (INCLUDES CARTS, CARRIAGES, WAGONS)
D. MOUNTED ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT (SHRINERS, RED HATS, 4-H, BREED CLUBS)
E. MOUNTED OTHER (MOUNTED ON ANIMALS-HAUNTED JAIL, INDIVIDUALS, ETC.)
F. ANTIQUE AUTOMOBILES (CARS & TRUCKS OVER 50 YRS OLD)
G. CLASSIC AUTOMOBILES (CARS & TRUCKS 25-50 YRS OLD)
H. ANTIQUE TRACTORS (OVER 50 YEARS OLD)
I. FLOAT (A DECORATED PLATFORM, EITHER BUILT ON A VEHICLE OR TOWED BEHIND ONE)
J. NOVELTY/FUN MOTORIZED UNITS (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CAR CLUBS, GOLF CART CLUBS, ATV CLUBS, MOTORCYCLE CLUBS, BOAT CLUBS, ETC. ALSO COMMERCIAL VEHICLES)
K. NOVELTY/FUN NON-MOTORIZED (WALKING, DANCING, TWIRLING, CYCLING, SKATING, DRILL TEAMS, ETC.)
L. POLITICAL
RULES:
1. STAGING/UNSTAGING
 Staging for the parade primarily will be at the former Columbia City High School parking lot on Whitley Street, but sections are organized in several locations. Staging will begin at 3:00 p.m. All entries should enter by the driveway at the north edge of the property, across from North Street. Please arrive as close to 3:00 p.m. as possible to get checked in and directed to the correct section. Section lineup is subject to last minute changes at the discretion of the Lineup Coordinator. Please be considerate of others and follow the direction of the Parade Officials.
 All participants should finish the parade at Whitley & Ellsworth St. to minimize congestion at Main Bowl or just return to the staging area to disband your group.
 Each group is required to dispose of its own trash including animal waste. Littering of any kind will not be tolerated. Anyone caught littering will be removed from the parade immediately and will not be welcomed back.
 Entries consisting of person(s) under the age of 16 yrs. of age must be accompanied by an adult.
 The staging area is a TOBACCO FREE PROPERTY.
2. SPECTATOR SAFETY
Please do not throw any items from moving vehicles or trailers. Candy, fliers, gifts etc. must come from a walking participant.
3. PERFORMANCE
All units are encouraged to be costumed or uniformed and have an activity/routine to entertain people along the parade route. Stopping along parade route to perform will not be permitted. Parade entries may only stop at the judges stand to perform. There is a maximum of 2 minutes for each performing group.
4. WEATHER
The parade will go on rain or shine! In case of severe weather, emergency responders will advise. Use your own discretion regarding weather. Please bring water for your participants and be cautious about furry friends marching on hot pavement.
5. AWARDS
There is NO ENTRY FEE and NO COMPETITION FEE for this parade. Anyone is welcome to participate. If you do not indicate that you have a competing unit, you will not be judged and will not receive any prize money. Winners of competing entries will be posted on Facebook (OldSettlers Parade) the following day and published in The Post & Mail the following week at the publisher's discretion.
6. ANNOUNCER'S COPY
Form on page 3 must accompany parade entry form; this will be read from the judging area! Please include your contact information at minimum. Please limit to approximately 75 words or less.

Entry Form and Announcer's Form must be postmarked by June 21st, 2021.
Emailed Entry and Announcer’s Forms due by noon June 24th, 2021.