The parade route will be approximately two miles long. The parade will begin at Central Avenue at Montebello. It will head south on Central to Camelback Road, where it will turn east to 7th Street, where it will turn south to its end point at Indian School Road. All units will stage in the North Phoenix Baptist Church parking lot.

• (I.E./ Girl Scouts/Boy Scouts/Twirling Groups/Drill Teams) Limited to the first ten entries.
  
  
• In order to keep the parade moving smoothly, entries will not be permitted to stop or perform reverse marches, or stunts on the parade route. These activities cause gaps in the parade.
  
  
• Only UL approved wiring, lights and batteries may be used. Each individual must have a minimum of eight sets of battery powered lights or 96 lights. A total of fifteen 22” glow products or equivalent shaped products may be substituted for minimum number of battery powered lights (This will be strictly enforced). Units not meeting lighting requirements will be pulled the evening of the event by Parade Organizers.
  
  
• For optimum lighting, it is suggested that lights be placed one to two inches apart (Light reflectors are suggested for better illumination).
  
  
• All batteries, battery packs and wires must be concealed within the costume or attached to the individual in an organized pattern.
  
  
• All major construction points and lines should be outlined in lights to highlight the shape of the costume.
  
  
• Hand-held accessories, headpieces, or instruments, etc. must be outlined or accented with lights.
  
  
• The chaperone ratio for walking groups is 1:30 (adult/children). Chaperones are part of the group, and are required to dress in unit uniform, costume or total black. (This will be strictly enforced).
  
  
• Performance groups will be limited to 100 participants in the parade.
  
  
• Contact person filling out the application will be responsible for signing an agreement specifying that all participants are 8 years old and older. Children under 8 years old without proper proof will be pulled from the parade.

Marching Bands

• The minimum number of lights on a band member is 96 or eight battery packs of lights. Glow products may substitute for the electric lights on either or both band members and their instruments. A band member needs a minimum of 15 pieces of 22-inch or longer glow products. If the instruments are lit with glow products only, they must be outlined sufficiently to identify the instruments in the dark. Bands not meeting lighting requirements will not be allowed to participate in the parade.
  
  
• All bands are requested to play holiday music the entire two-mile parade route.
  
  
• For optimum lighting, it is suggested that lights be placed one to two inches apart. (Light reflectors are suggested for better illumination.)
  
  
• All wires, batteries and battery packs should be concealed within the uniform.
  
  
• All major construction points and lines should be outlined in lights to highlight the shape of the uniform and/or instrument.
  
  
• Hand-held accessories, headpieces, instruments, etc. must be outlined or accented with lights or glow products.
  
  
• It is advised that you limit the weight of each lit uniform/instrument to 30 pounds, including battery power packs, so that the individual can easily walk the parade route.
  
  
• The maximum chaperone ratio for marching groups is 30 children per one adult. All chaperones are required to dress in unit uniform, costume or total black.
  
  
• Each marching group will be limited to 150 participants per group in the parade.
  
  
• Uniforms that cover the head are required to have a breathing/communication hole.

• There must be a minimum of 2,000 lights on any entry in the Electric Light Parade. LEDs, Neon and Glow products also are acceptable. In addition, there must be a minimum of 2,000 lights on all tow vehicles.
  
  
• Anyone riding on an entry or walking alongside an entry is required to wear 96 lights or 15 pieces of 22" glow lights or equivalent light shapes. (LEDs, Neon, etc.)
  
  
• Children younger than eight years old may ride on a parade unit provided all regulatory seat belt and car seat laws are followed. They may not walk the route. (Please see the "Other parade rules..." section for a complete list of rules on child participation.)
  
  
• Each entry will be required to have signage in lights on the front or on both sides with the name of the entry or sponsoring group.
  
  
• Proof of vehicular insurance for any motor vehicle in the parade must be submitted to Special Events staff by 5 p.m. on Nov. 17, 2008.
  
  
• All entries are required to play float theme or holiday music throughout the parade route.
  
  
• An entry may not exceed 13 feet six inches in height. However, there is no limit on length of a float entry. If an entry is wider than 8 feet, a transporting permit may be necessary. Preapproval from the parade producer will be necessary for floats wider than eight feet.
  
  
• All entry materials must be flame-retardant.
  
  
• All wiring must be properly secured to prevent mechanical damage and injury to entry riders.
  
  
• All connections must be made with UL-approved electrical boxes or devices.
  
  
• Portable generators or compressors used on the float must be securely mounted on a vehicle or other substantial base. A minimum of 12 inches clearance must separate any part of the generator/compressor from combustible fabrication material. Applicants must include their towable generator or the unit on which it will ride in their overall float specifications.
  
  
• Generators/compressors must be equipped with firmly attached exhaust systems that terminate either into a common exhaust serving the vehicle or in the same manner as vehicle exhaust.
  
  
• The use of public address systems for broadcasting messages is prohibited.
  
  
• All entries will be observed to ensure adequate and safe lighting before the parade. Entries that fail to meet the requirements of this document will be pulled from the parade.
  
  
• All first-time participants are advised to attend the scheduled informational meeting on Oct. 21, 2008, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Devonshire Senior Center, 2802 E. Devonshire.
  
  
• Religious expression is allowed, but proselytizing is prohibited. Please be sensitive to the faiths of others.
  
  
• The driver must have an unobstructed view of the road.
  
  
• Anyone who is in the parade MUST be in costume, lit and part of the entry theme. A maximum of ten walkers may accompany an entry.
  
  
• Entries not abiding by the requirements will be pulled the evening of the event by parade organizers.
  

• To avoid gaps, there is no stopping along the parade route.
  
  
• At Indian School Road and 7th Street, all entries are requested to turn off their holiday lights and music as soon as possible. This helps signal the end of the parade.
  
  
• All equestrian units must be bagged or unit must provide person to pick up waste along the route.
  
  
• All entries will be subject to inspection by the Phoenix Police and Fire departments.
  
  
• All drivers must possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license and be adequately trained to drive their assigned float.
  
  
• All drivers must participate in the entry drivers' orientation on Dec. 5, 2008, at 6:30 p.m.
  
  
• A minimum of one 2A10BC-type fire extinguisher must be provided on each entry or unit. If an individual is in an enclosed entry, there should be one extinguisher inside and another extinguisher outside.
  
  
• A handhold or other support must be provided for all entry riders who are required to ride in a standing position. All standing and seated riders must be secured by a safety belt with a quick release mechanism.
  
  
• A limited number of participants will be able to ride on any entry. City personnel reserve the right to determine the number for safety considerations.
  
  
• Any entry that has won a prize or award will not be eligible to win again with that same entry in future years.
  
  
• All entries are required to provide a walking marshal who is over the age of 16 to carry an identifying unit number and walk approximately 10 feet in front of the entry for identification before the television spotters and the judges. This person must be dressed in all black. Entries without a walking marshal the evening of parade will be pulled from the lineup.
  
  
• All entries must be able to travel at a speed of at least two miles per hour for two miles.
  
  
• The Electric Light Parade has only one live Santa Claus. The jolly old fellow will be appearing courtesy of the Special Events team. Mrs. Claus will be staying behind to hold down the fort at the North Pole.
  
  
• No alcoholic beverages of any kind will be allowed in the staging area or on the float or parade unit. The consumption of any alcoholic beverage is strictly prohibited and all unit operators are subject to Driving Under the Influence (DUI) laws.
  
  
• Candy, gifts or other materials may NOT be thrown or given to the crowd from any float or unit participating in the parade.
  
  
• Failure by a participant or parents of participants to obey any police officer or parade official will be cause for that entry to be removed from the parade.
  
  
• Fire and flammable props are prohibited.
  
  
• The use of spotlights and interior lit inflatables are acceptable as long as the entry also has met the rule regarding the minimum number of lights.
• All tow vehicles or entries need to have headlights turned off or covered.
• Unless the entry is a commercial entry, all logos or names on the entry or tow vehicle must be covered.
  
  
• Children participating in the parade must comply with the following restrictions:
  
  1. Children walking must be at least eight years old.
  2. Children riding on a float must be secured by age appropriate vehicle child restraint.
  3. Children in strollers are not permitted in the Electric Light Parade.

VIOLATION OF ANY OF THE PARADE RULES WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION FROM THE PARADE.

• Please call (602) 261-8069 for complete rule listings in the parade application packet.

DRIVERS' MEETING

Entries that will be judged at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, 2008:

• Community Entries
• Nonprofit Organization Entries
• Commercial Motorized Entries (large and small businesses)
• City of Phoenix Department Entries
• Government Entries
• Shining Star

Performance groups, the Spirit Award, the Judges Award and marching bands will be judged during the parade. The judging stand will be located on Central Avenue north of Missouri away from television cameras. The lights necessary to illuminate the street for television overpower the lights on the entries. The parade is televised from a location near Georgia Avenue (one block south of Missouri Avenue).

Note: The judges for the parade are volunteers. Some of the judges are associated with sponsors of the APS Fiesta of Light; other judges are recognized artists or experts in the float parade field. Occasionally, we are approached by a volunteer who asks to assist with the judging. The volunteer judges have no known connection with either the parade entries or the city of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department Special Events. None of the judges are paid or are in any way involved in the planning or production of the parade. All judges' decisions are final.

PARKING AND SEATING
Parking is available around the parade site at numerous lots. A fee may apply. Seating along the parade route is on a first come first served basis. After street closures take effect at approximately 4 p.m., spectators may sit up to the first lane line on the east and west sides of Central Avenue beginning south of the staging area. Spectators are allowed to bring chairs, blankets, and coolers. Alcohol and glass containers are prohibited.

PARADE CHECK-IN/STAGING