Parade Rules
Section 1: General Rules
All entries must provide family-oriented entertainment consistent with this celebration in honor of Saint Patrick and Irish American heritage.
NO ALCOHOL is allowed in the parade. Bottled water or canned soft drinks are acceptable.
The Parade Marshals have the right to inspect all units prior to and during the Parade. All entries are required to comply with parade marshal or police officer instruction at all times.
All vehicle entries must be covered by liability insurance to the satisfaction of the Parade Committee. Proof of insurance must be provided with the application.
Motor vehicle entries will be limited to 10 vehicles per entry. Additional vehicles will constitute a new entry, assessed a new entry fee and staged separately.
Parade applicants shall provide on-site contact information for each person responsible for the entry.
All entrants may be subject to City & County of Denver Fire and Safety inspections and code enforcement and additional fees as necessary.
Entry & Advertising Release: In consideration of acceptance of this entry, the entrant agrees to permit the DSPDPC to use their names and/or photographs, films or tapes of the units for publicity, advertising and commercial promotion, before, during and after the event, and gives permission to publish or sell or otherwise dispose of said photographs, films or tapes.
The use of drones is prohibited in the vicinity of the parade. The parade route is a 'no drone zone'.
Parade units violating any of these rules may, at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, Inc. be disqualified from awards and denied entry in future parades.
Acts of God and Government: Both Parade Entrants and Denver St Patrick's Day Parade Committee, Inc. recognize that Acts of God (including weather & pandemics) and Acts of Third Parties (including the City of Denver/Police and Fire Departments, State of Colorado, and U.S. Government, including but not limited to their security branches) are beyond the control these parties. To the extent that actions by third parties beyond the control these parties (including but not limited to Acts of God/weather & pandemics or Government or terrorist acts) preclude or limit the operation of the Parade, or its participants, neither party will hold the other responsible for said actions. Both parties agree to abide by the regulations and requirements of the City and County of Denver and the State of Colorado. If the Parade is cancelled due to an act of God/weather & pandemics or Third Parties that are beyond the control of the parties, Parade Entrants will be not be entitled to a refund of their previously paid parade entrant fee from the Denver St Patrick's Day Parade Committee, Inc.
The Parade Committee reserves the right to exclude from participation, any entry which it considers to be advocating or promoting a particular purpose, principle, agenda, or message inconsistent with or contrary to those of the Parade.
Section 2: Staging Rules
All participants must enter Coors Field parking lot through their pre-assigned entrances. This information will be emailed to you in early March. Check in as directed. All participants must be aware of their group unit number and staging street address.
Only vehicles that are registered as being used in the Parade will be allowed in the staging area.
Any and all materials that will be used on your entry must be inside or on the vehicle when it enters the staging area.
Participants shall clean up any materials or debris left in the staging area by your unit(s). This applies particularly (but not exclusively) to units with animals.
Section 3: Parade Rules
Bands may perform for 45 seconds in front of the reviewing stand at 20th and Blake streets. Marshals instructions to resume movement must be promptly followed. All units must keep pace with the unit ahead of them. Please close any gaps when prompted. Any unit that does not comply will be escorted off the parade route.
Children under the age of 5 may ride but are not allowed to march in the parade.
Parade units must continue moving until you have returned to the disband area inside Coors Field parking lot A. No stopping or unloading will be allowed prior to that, since this will cause congestion and delays in the parade. You will not be able to return to the staging areas (Lots B & C); ensure you leave nothing behind.
Items such as candy may be handed to children by persons walking along the sides of the parade unit. Please use caution in the interest of safety for the viewing audience.
Drivers of motor vehicles must remain with the vehicle at all times.
Use of confetti is prohibited. Entrant will be responsible for additional cleaning cost.
Section 4: Planning Information for Floats Participating in the Parade
Dimensions:
According to Colorado Department of Transportation guidelines, the following are the maximum dimensions allowed for floats entered in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade:
Maximum Length of a single semi-trailer is 57’4”
Maximum Height is 13’
Maximum Width is 102”
Section 5: Parade Float Safety Checklist
Denver City and County Parade Float Requirements
Floats will be inspected by Fire Prevention officers prior to the parade event in the staging area.
Floats are any unit designed or constructed for use in conjunction with a parade or public gathering.
A float is a decorated platform, either built on a vehicle or towed behind one.
General Safety Rules and Regulations
No lighted candles allowed on any floats.
All floats must have a 2A/10BC portable fire extinguisher inspected within the past year.
Generators must be securely mounted and a minimum of 12” clearance from combustible material.
No portable gas cans are allowed on a float so generators must be topped off prior to staging.
Generator exhaust must be vented so that it does not pose a hazard to participants.
Decorative lighting must be UL approved and rated for outdoor use.
No smoking is allowed on any float.
Decorations must be non-combustible or flame-retardant.
Driver vision shall be 180 degree.
If vision cannot be provided, spotters shall be used.
Driver shall have view or communication with riders.
Driver must have a valid driver’s license.
All participants riding on open floats shall have solid sitting arrangement with handholds readily available to them.
Any standing participant shall have a means to prevent falling from the unit.
Secured safety rails (42” height) shall be placed on outside of float. Barriers or rope may be used.
Children must be under adult supervision and seated at all times.
Riders are to remain on float once the parade begins and at all times when the float is in motion.
Throwing candy or other objects from a float or vehicle is prohibited. Handing out items from walking participants is allowed.