Town of Stoughton July, 4th Parade
When: Tuesday July 4th, 2023
Where: Park Street - 138 through Town Center - ending at 138/Central Street
Check-in: 9 AM
Time: 10AM Step off
MC'd by Mark Snyder
This event is weather dependent and participants should regularly check their emails prior to the start of the parade. Please note that the Recreation Department will review any and all registrations/requests to participate. No water balloons and no water guns
For parade participants,
THANK YOU for joining us this year for the annual 4th of July Parade! We appreciate everyone volunteering their time to create this special day for our community and it wouldn’t be possible without you! This packet will provide you with all of the information you need regarding your organization's participation in the parade. Please distribute these details to all members of your team that will be participating.
PARADE DATE: Tuesday, July 4th
Check in: 9:00 am.
Step off: 10:00 am
Please have one member of your group check in at your designated check in location. Floats/groups will be divided into groups A, B, and C. These groups will be distributed to registrants by email at least one week prior to the parade.
PICK UP: After the parade, groups will reconvene at the DPW Station, located at 950 Central Street. Groups are responsible for their own transportation at the end of the parade.
PARTICIPATION INFORMATION: We ask that all walking groups, floats and vehicles use a positive 4th of July/patriotic theme or a Stoughton theme. You MUST distribute and review the following parade guidelines to all participants. These rules are for the safety of both the parade participants as well as the spectators.
Parade Guidelines for Participants
The following Fourth of July Parade rules are designed to ensure and preserve the public peace, safety and good order. These rules are not meant to decrease the level of involvement for any participant. If you have any questions or concerns about any of the rules, please do not hesitate to ask the Recreation Department. These parade rules apply to parade line-up, the main parade, and closing ceremonies. Violation of these parade rules may result in immediate ejection from the parade and other penalties.
- No person is allowed to get on or off a vehicle or float while it is moving or once it has started down the parade route. (Getting on or off of moving vehicles creates a substantial risk for injuries including closed head injuries, neck injuries, back injuries, broken bones, or internal bleeding.)
-Under no circumstances shall candy be thrown from vehicles. The distribution of candy, literature, advertising, samples, or gifts of any kind by float riders and/or drivers in the parade is prohibited. (The Town of Stoughton considers any parade entry that involves anything other than pedestrians to be a float)
- Float walkers, if walking on the sidewalk, shall be permitted to hand candy, literature, advertising, samples, or gifts to spectators. This is so parade viewers do not run into the street. Under no circumstances can float walkers pass items out from any other location. It is a safety hazard.
-Water balloons may not be used under any circumstances. No water guns
- NO GROUP IS TO STOP IN THE CENTER OF TOWN FOR A PERFORMANCE. This is to help encourage spectators to spread out along the route this year rather than in one location.
-Parade entry speed will not exceed 5 mph along the designated parade route at all times. No exhibitions of vehicle speed or vehicle horsepower will be tolerated! Vehicle entrees will not engage in any conduct that is intended to display, show-off, or illustrate the vehicle’s power or the skill of the operator.
-Entries are to remain a safe distance from the crowd, the float in front of them and maintain their assigned position throughout the duration of the parade. Please maintain a 20 foot space between you and the entry in front of you.
-The use of foul language or inappropriate behavior is prohibited. Parade participants are expected to conduct themselves in a courteous manner.
- Any animal involved in a parade that isn’t being ridden or is not hitched to a float must be on a leash or a lead. All animals in the parade must be under the control of an individual capable of managing the animal. Individual handling the animal is responsible for any animal waste that may occur during the parade route.
-The discharging of firearms or the use of any similar type of noisemaker or fireworks is prohibited.
-Children under the age of 8 in all entrees must be directly supervised by an adult at all times.
-Vehicle drivers must a.) be an adult b.) possess the appropriate license to drive the type of vehicle included in your parade entry.
Thank you again for your participation and for following these guidelines.
If you have any questions, please contact us at recreation@stoughton-ma.gov or 781-341-1300 x9244