Homecoming parade guide

• Each parade entry must submit the Parade Entry Form (currently and briefly describe their entry design).
• Organizations may partner with another organization and participate in the parade together.
• Staging and lineup begins at 3:30 p.m. Please arrive at your designated time—this will help ensure a smooth setup and a prompt start. Ahead of the event, more information regarding lineup assignments will be sent to the person of contact for each entry.

• Float: Anything being pulled by a vehicle or a self-propelled wagon. If your organization is using something other than a vehicle to pull the float, permission must be obtained.
• Decorated car: A vehicle requiring a standard automobile license to operate and is decorated in accordance with the Homecoming theme.
• Walking: Any group walking through the parade with similar dress style, synchronized movement, or organized choreography.
• Musical: A group of people walking together while playing music or instruments.

• An organization may participate in the parade with one of each type of entry: one float, one decorated car, and one walking entry. Each entry will be judged separately, and there is no guarantee that multiple entries will be grouped together in the final lineup.
• The IUAA has the right to refuse any parade entries that are in direct conflict with the mission, values, and goals of the university.
• In questionable situations, the IUAA will determine the type of entry.
• It is important that we have accurate contact information for every entry submitted. Each organization must select a point of contact for each entry—someone who will be present with the entry throughout the entire parade. If an organization has more than one entry, each entry must have a different point of contact.
• All float entries must also select two representatives to be their float safety monitors. These people will help monitor the float lineup area. These individuals’ names must be submitted on the Parade Entry Form, and they must attend the mandatory parade meeting.

• Entrants will compete in one of five divisions: float, decorated car, walking, musical, or fan favorite.
• Winners in each category will receive a plaque and the overall parade champion will receive a trophy.
• Political entries are excluded from winning prizes.

This year, spectators can vote for their favorite float through the fan favorite vote.

Additionally, entries will be judged using a five-point scale on the following criteria:

Floats and cars

• Theme: The organization(s) incorporation of the Homecoming theme.
  • This year’s theme is Halloween!
• Participation: All organization members displaying the theme.
• Creativity: Use of imagination or original ideas in relation to the theme.
• Presentation: The appeal of the entry to spectators and judges.
• Construction: The attention to detail, quality, and use of movable parts.
• Name display: The organization’s name prominently displayed in an original way.

Walking and musical entries

In addition to theme, participation, creativity, and presentation, walking and musical entries will be judged on the following criteria:

• Dress/costumes: Wardrobe relates to the theme.
• Choreography: Success of synchronized or organized movements.

• The number of participants riding on the float during the parade must be estimated when completing the float entry form.
• Please remember that because of traffic signals and other obstructions, floats must be less than 13 feet in height and less than 20 feet wide.
• Each parade entry will be given a banner to identify the sponsoring organization. Organizations will need to provide two volunteers to walk the parade route with their banner.
• All entries must be constructed of fire-resistant materials as required by fire codes.

• Candidates running for political office must be sponsored by an on-campus student organization to participate in the parade. No speeches for candidates will be allowed, and an off-campus entry form is required.
• All candy must be sealed and individually wrapped. Candy may not be thrown into the crowds.
• A representative from each student and campus organization must attend the mandatory parade meeting. If an organization does not have a representative present for the mandatory parade meeting, they will not be allowed to participate in the parade. The meeting will last one hour and will cover lineup procedures and general parade safety.

• Companies promoting alcohol (Budweiser, Big Red, etc.) cannot be used as float sponsors.
• All community entries are prohibited from displaying or distributing any information regarding alcohol—this includes the display of alcoholic beverage company logos.
• An entry may be removed from the parade and competition if, in the opinion of an IUAA representative, the entry is operated in a hazardous manner or because of the misbehavior of individuals associated with the entry. Entries will be removed immediately if the presence of alcohol is detected.
• The IUAA reserves the right to do spot checks of any entries if alcohol use is suspected. The Indiana University Police Department will also be present in the lineup area to confiscate any alcohol present. They will cite and/or arrest persons they feel violate alcohol laws (public intoxication, minor in possession, driving under the influence, etc.) Alcohol related situations will most likely result in the immediate disqualification of your entry, even if the entry is shared with multiple organizations and other groups participating are uninvolved in the situation.
• The consumption of alcoholic beverages or use of any illegal substance by participants prior to and during the parade is strictly prohibited.

We encourage spectators and participants to carpool and park in one of the many downtown Bloomington parking garages. For participants, the 4th Street and Walnut Street garages are closest to the staging area. Free parking is also available in IU parking lots after 5 p.m.