LEXINGTON ROOTS & HERITAGE FESTIVAL
2025 HERITAGE PARADE GENERAL INFORMATION

The parade will be September 6, 2025 at 9:30 a.m.

Participants must arrive on the parade site for check in by 8:30 a.m.

All entries (COMPLETED ENTRY FORM, ENTRY FEE) must be REGISTERED and PAID (online thru PAYPAL OR CASHIER’S CHECK/MONEY ORDER) by SEPTEMBER 1. NO PERSONAL CHECKS.

Make CASHIER’S CHECKS/MONEY ORDERS payable to 	
LEXINGTON ROOTS & HERITAGE FESTIVAL and mail to
c/o HERITAGE PARADE
P.O.	Box 11712
LEXINGTON, KY 40577-1712

1.	ENTRIES AND FEES

•	Entry fee is $30.00 (includes tax) per COMMUNITY/NON-PROFIT/INDIVIDUAL ENTRY. Fee is non-refundable.

•	Entry fee is $265.00 per BUSINESS/ COMMERCIAL/POLITICAL ENTRY ($285.00 
with festival vendor booth). Fee is non-refundable.

•	ONLY 1 (ONE) VEHICLE PER GROUP WILL BE ALLOWED. Motorcycle clubs are limited to 8 motorcycles and 1 other vehicle. Car clubs are limited to 6 vehicles. Each additional vehicle will be $12.00 per vehicle. EXCEPTIONS MUST HAVE PRIOR APPROVAL FROM THE CHAIR. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE ON SITE.

•	Bands and Drumlines are excluded from this fee.

•	EACH GROUP MUST HAVE PROPER SIGNAGE OR ORGANIZATION T-SHIRTS.

•	ALL ENTRIES MUST BE REGISTERED IN ADVANCE.  THERE WILL BE NO ON-SITE REGISTRATION!

•	THE FESTIVAL COMMITTEE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY ENTRY AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO OR DURING THE PARADE.

•	ONE representative for each entry must report to parade central check-in located at the intersection of Elm Tree Lane and Fourth Street. 
•	A Parade Participant Waiver must be signed by all adults and turned in at PARADE CENTRAL at check- in. Position lanes/numbers will not be assigned without a waiver. **PLEASE NOTE: If participants are under 18 years of age, their names must be listed on the waiver AND be accompanied by a copy of the parental permission sheet (to be provided by the organization. A sample form is posted on our website.)
PLEASE NOTE: No children under the age of six are allowed to ride on any float unit unless closely supervised by a responsible adult.

•	You will receive your parade position and vehicle permit at check-in. You cannot move into the parade line until you have been assigned a lane and a position. Parade vehicles should enter the check-in area from either end of FOURTH STREET and may temporarily park on the SOUTH side of FOURTH STREET until you receive your position. Please do not block intersection 
o	All cars must be moved by close of registration since 4th street is an active part of the parade route.
o	Remain in your assigned staging area until instructed to move toward the parade route by a Parade Marshal.

•	Each entry must be in position no later than 8:30 a.m. in case adjustments need to be made. Once assigned, you must remain in your position. Please have a driver with the car at all times in case we need you to move.
o	Parade Marshals will be available to assist you and lanes will be clearly 
marked so that members of your group who arrive late need not individually check in.

•	The Parade Route begins at Fourth and Elm Tree, turn right (toward Broadway), turn right onto ML King, right onto Fifth Street, right onto Race Street, right onto Third Street and ends at Elm Tree Lane. Bands will turn right onto Elm Tree Lane to begin the showdown performance in the area in front of the stage at Third and Elm Tree Lane.  PLEASE MAINTAIN FORMATION UNTIL THE END OF THE PARADE THROUGH THE INTERSECTION OF THIRD AND ELM TREE (LYRIC THEATER) so that parade participants behind you can keep moving. 

•	Once on the parade route, please move at a steady pace to provide an interesting parade for the spectators. A steady pace must be maintained with minimum space between units. This is for safety reasons as well as for the enjoyment of the spectators.

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2. SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

•	Decorations around vehicles should not impede driver's field of vision in any maneuvers 
along the parade route.

•	Decorations of the vehicles should allow full ventilation of exhaust fumes and 
substantial ventilation of engine heat.

•	Drivers and all persons riding on the float should have a means of quick exit.

•	At least one 4-lb. dry chemical fire extinguisher must be provided by the builder of each
float and shall be stowed in an accessible location.

•	Handholds or other support should be provided for all persons who are required to ride 
the float in a standing position. CHILDREN IN OR ON VEHICLES MUST BE  
SEATED OR KNEELING WITH RAILINGS OR GUARDS TO HOLD ON TO.

•	No materials or items of any kind may be thrown from the float into the crowds. 
Candy and small trinkets may be gently tossed by walkers only.

•	To ensure the safety of both participants and spectators, parade participants must make 
every effort to discourage spectators from coming into the street and getting close to the parade vehicles.  Failure to adhere to any of these rules may result in removal from the parade or refusal of future participation.

3. PICK UP/TRAILER/FLATBED/FLOAT RIDERS

All participants shall take all reasonable and prudent safety precautions in the construction and operation of a pickup, trailer, or flatbed used as a float, including precautions regarding the number of persons who may safely ride on the float.  Persons riding on a float do so at their own risk. Children below the age of eighteen who wish to ride on a float must submit a signed permission slip from their parent or guardian along with the entry form. Children six or younger may only ride in pickups or trailers with sides rails and only if closely supervised by a responsible adult. They may not ride on open (flat) trailers or floats.

THE LEXINGTON-FAYETTE URBAN COUNTY GOVERNMENT, THE ROOTS AND HERITAGE FESTIVAL COMMITTEE, ITS MEMBERS, OR SPONSORS ASSUME NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SAFETY OF ANYONE RIDING ON FLOATS.

4.	SPECIAL FLOAT PROTECTION

THE COMMITTEE WILL NOT GUARANTEE PROTECTION OF ANY FLOAT. It is recommended that any group or organization provide their own maintenance and custody personnel and plastic or tarp covering in case of rain. No float or other entry may be brought to the parade line-up area until the day of the parade.

5.	FLOAT STRUCTURE

The bed on which the float is constructed shall be sturdy and capable of carrying the loads imposed. Converted rubber-tired farm wagons are acceptable, but builders must be responsible for keeping tires fully inflated and any maintenance throughout the parade. Motor power shall be jeep, van, pick-up truck, and, with approval, small garden tractors or golf carts for some units. Note that motor power must be approved with specifications for floats.  All vehicles used must have power sufficient to meet speeds high enough to comply with Heritage Parade instructions and signals.

6.	DIMENSIONS

The maximum length towed by a single primary mover shall not exceed 55 feet. Floats may be in multiple units with each unit decorated to be an integral part of the same theme.
o	  No more than 1 vehicle per unit without special permission from Parade Chairperson.
o	No more than 60 persons may accompany a unit.
o	The maximum height shall not exceed 13 feet. The maximum width shall not exceed 12 feet.

7.	PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM

A public address system may be used for reasonable amplification of music or sound effects. Use for commercial messages is prohibited.

8.	SIGNAGE

Lettering of any height is acceptable, if part of the float theme. Signs identifying sponsors may be a maximum of eighteen inches high with proportional length.
o	Advertising slogans or messages are prohibited.
o	Corporate logos are acceptable but may not be the dominant theme.
o	Signage must be positive in nature. We reserve the right to approve all signage 
		and materials distributed on site. Failure to comply may result in immediate 
		removal from parade.

9. PARADE CONTROL

•	The Lexington Roots and Heritage Festival Committee will have supervision over the parade to ensure prompt and efficient movement of all units. The group coordinator/builder is responsible for having the unit ready to go. 

•	If any unit fails to meet any of the specifications, or in any way impedes the prompt and orderly movement of the parade, the Parade Committee may, at its sole discretion, and without liability to the Committee or the sponsor order such unit to be removed from the parade. 

•	Such discretion on the part of the Committee will not be unreasonably and arbitrarily exercised. The Roots and Heritage Festival Committee or Parade Committee may, at any time, require anyone whose behavior they deem inappropriate for the public to cease participation in the parade.

•	The Roots and Heritage Festival Committee recognizes that the Heritage Parade is a public event whose participants and viewers include persons of all ages. The broadcast of any music or messages containing obscene language from any float, vehicle, or participant in the parade is inappropriate for this sort of public event.

•	The Roots and Heritage Festival Committee will require any float, vehicle, and/or participant broadcasting music or messages containing obscene language to immediately cease such broadcast or immediately cease participation in the parade. Any parade participant excluded from participating for this reason shall not be entitled to a refund of any portion of the parade entry fee.