The 2018 Winterlights Parade is Friday, November 30 at 6:30 pm.   The parade committee will  accept 50 entries of all sorts; walking, bands, animals, and floats! Last year a boat won first place commercial!   Mayor Tammy will be joined on the holiday stage by radio morning hosts from 94.9 the River DJ's Ken Bass and Debbie Courson. 

Thanks again to Borton-Lakey Law and Policy - our parade presenting sponsor!  

Fees are $100 for commercial,  $50 for nonprofit (501 c3 organizations) and free to school groups. A link with payment details will be emailed.  

Fill Out  & Submit Online Application
    Entry Information
    1.
    Music and sound applications are permitted, but Christmas music is the only type allowed.
    2.
    3.
    Judging Categories
    4.
    Please choose ONLY ONE judging category for your entry to be eligible for.  Some entries may fit into multiple categories, but you must choose only one. If no selection is made, you will not be judged.
    Information is provided to the parade emcees. Send additional information if desired.
    Please read this carefully before submitting. 
    In consideration of permission from the City of Meridian to participate in the Meridian Winter Lights Parade, and intending to be legally bound, I affirm that I have read and understand the attached rules and regulations, and I agree to comply with them at all times.  I acknowledge that my participation in the Parade carries risks, some of which are unknown, and with that knowledge I do assume all such risks.  I agree that I am solely responsible for any and all injuries or damage that I cause or incur.  On behalf of myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, assigns, and personal representatives, I hereby forever indemnify, release and forever hold the City of Meridian harmless from any and all real or possible losses, claims, actions, judgments for damages, expenses, harm or injury to myself or other persons, and/or to property incurred in relation to my participation in the Parade not attributable to the tortious conduct of City, regardless of the manner by which such claim may be brought.  My signature below signifies that I understand and consent to these terms and the Parade rules and regulations, and wish to participate in the Parade.

Step 3.  An email will be sent to selected applicants that include payment instructions after the entry deadline.   

Official Rules and Regulations 
 
  1. Prior to the parade, each entry will be designated a time when they must be lined up by. Times will be assigned based on parade position so that floats can be easily lined up as they arrive.Failure to arrive at or before your assigned time may result in removal from the parade!
 
  1. The parade line-up will take place in Storey Park and the Meridian Speedway.A map of assigned positions will be e-mailed before the event.A return route back to Storey Park will be included. Please see attached parade route.
     
  2. Every float entry must have a minimum of 500 lights, but we want to light up Main Street so the more lights the better! All tow vehicles must also be decorated .For non-float entries, each car/motorcycle/bicycle/individual/animal in the group must be decorated and have some kind of lights. No exceptions!
     
  3. Parade entries cannot be wider than 10 feet to safely navigate around the downtown medians.
     
  4. For safety reasons, every float entry must have a minimum of 2 spotters, at least 1 walking on either side of the vehicle.It’s strongly encouraged for those spotters to also be decorated with lights, but not required.We’d rather have spotters without lights than no spotters at all.
     
  5. During the parade, each entry should maintain a safe distance of about 30-40 feet between them and the unit in front of them.Please keep up with the unit in front of you to avoid gaps!
     
  6. To keep children from running into the road, no candies, novelties, toys, advertising material, etc may be thrown from any parade entry!  Accompanying walkers may distribute (not throw) items along the sides of the parade route.  This rule will be strictly enforced.
     
  7. No Santa Claus of any kind may be used in any entry.  There will be just one Santa Claus at the end of the parade.  Santa hats are acceptable.
     
  8. All animals in the parade must be under control at all times.Horse riders are strongly encouraged to wear helmets.Every animal group is required to have a clean-up crew.Units without a clean-up crew will not be allowed to participate.
     
  9. Noise level may not exceed 95 decibels including any sirens or air horns.Non-holiday themed music is prohibited.
     
  10. Every float entry will be inspected on-site prior to the parade by the Meridian Fire Department.Inspection will include:
  • Every parade vehicle is required to have a fire extinguisher that is easily accessible to the operator.
  • If generators are being used to power lights or other items, they must be GFI protected.
  • All exhaust pipes must be clear and nothing combustible may rest against the exhaust or catalytic converter.
 
  1. Parade entries must be appropriate for all ages, values, and sensibilities, and may not include language, attire, and/or behavior that is profane, sexual, violent, or discriminatory.