2023 Parade Lineup Instructions
1. There will be Parade Staff along the lineup area to help you find your location, including: Parade Chairman Jay Matteson (cell #315-783-2251), and volunteers in bright vests. They are volunteers trying to help you locate your spot in the parade. PLEASE BE NICE TO THEM!
2. Please report to your assigned location between 5:30, 6:00 and 6:30pm on Friday, June 2th. Every entry should be present and ready to go by 6:45pm. The Parade will start at 7pm sharp!
3. Numbered orange traffic cones will indicate your location. They will be placed along the road, behind the High School, on both sides of the parking lot between the high school and middle school and on the parking lot, and on the driveway around and in front of the High School. Please find the cone with your number and stay behind the cone, to allow traffic through. Keep the cone in front of your entry. PLEASE DO NOT BLOCK OTHERS FROM PASSING BY YOU!!!
4. Vehicles that are not participating in the parade are asked to immediately unload and park either behind the high school or along the farthest edge of the parking lots. Parade entries 1-20 may park in the south parking lot closest to the beginning of the parade, and entries 21 and on, are asked to park in the upper parking lot next to the elementary school. Please make certain that farm equipment can pass by your location without crushing your float, equipment or you…..
5. Portable Restrooms are available in the parking lot between the middle school and high school. Please use those.
6. We may move your location if we deem it necessary. Please cooperate fully with Parade Staff.
7. Enter Watertown High School FROM THE GREEN STREET ENTRANCE NEAR WILEY ELEMENTARY. THE BACK OF THE SCHOOL AT THE INTERSECTION WITH MYRTLE AVENUE. PLEASE DO NOT ENTER THE SCHOOL FROM ANY OF THE ENTRANCES ON WASHINGTON STREET. This keeps all traffic flowing in one direction which alleviates congestion.
8. The City of Watertown has asked that the new dog ordinance be observed during the parade. Dogs are allowed in the parade. They must be secured on a 6 feet or less leash. The dog handler must walk on the centerline of the street and not allow contact between the dog and the public. Anyone walking dogs in the parade assumes all liability and responsibility for injuries or damage caused by the dog immediately before, during, and immediately after the parade. We also ask that the utmost care be given to all animals involved in the parade. Please make sure they are secure and safe.
9. NO CANDY SHOULD BE THROWN FROM FLOATS! Please have people walking along the side of the street handing out candy rather than throwing candy from a float. We did have small children running in front of floats and farm machinery last year to pick up candy. We want to prevent that from reoccurring. Anyone breaking this rule will be instructed to stop immediately and will not be allowed in next year’s parade.
10. If you are displaying the U.S. Flag marching, or on your float, please observe all flag etiquette. The flag should be displayed parade right and higher than any other flag. The flag should never touch the ground.
11. Parade entries are NOT Judged. We do this to promote our agricultural industry, businesses and so on.
12. Please remember there is no smoking. Vaping or alcohol allowed anywhere on school grounds.