July 4: 4th of July Parade – Friday Harbor

The theme for the 4th of July Parade – Cheers to 250 years!
The 4th of July Parade will be held on Saturday, July 4th at 10:30 a.m. (depending on the ferry). We ask that All floats/entries be decorated to reflect the spirit of Independence Day and/or this year’s theme. All applications must be submitted by email to: becki@sanjuanisland.org or brought to the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce, 165 1st St S.

Important Date to Remember: June 24, 2026 is the last day to submit parade applications and description changes.

PARADE AWARDS:
We value the uniqueness of our community. It is our community, our unique history and our culture that
visitors come to San Juan Island to experience. We challenge each parade applicant to think about how they
can amp it up and engage with the crowd.
-How can you innovate, create and tell your story?
-Remember, our community consists of people of all ages and cultures

• how will your parade entry speak to them all?
  To honor your work, this year we will be giving awards in the following categories:
   $600 Best use of THEME – Float
   $400 Best use of THEME – Non-Float
   $300 Best use of THEME – Children/Youth
   $300 Judges Special Choice
   $200 In honor of plastic free Salish Sea-≥float that has reused the most plastic on their entry
   $200 Best Animal/Animal Group
   $100 Best Vehicle
  CATEGORIES & APPLICATION FEES
  SAFETY IS ALWAYS A PRIORITY DURING THE PARADE:
  It is mandatory that each parade entrant identify a safety monitor who will be required to walk alongside the
  entry and help keep the pace of the parade and ensure the safety of spectators. Safety monitors must be 18
  years of age or older. For larger entries we suggest 2 safety monitors. This position will be the main contact
  person for your entry, who is expected to communicate the parade information to your entry participants and
  to supervise the smooth and efficient operation of the parade from the staging/lineup area, through the
  parade route. Know the parade rules for your entry and ensure compliance. The entry’s monitor is to be
  available to parade officials for relaying information to your entry in the staging area and along the parade
  route. Make sure the entry number, which is given at registration on the day of the event, is to be properly
  placed on your entry in the front right corner. Keep your entry together and organized in the staging area.
  Accompany your entry during the parade. Control entry speed on the parade route to maintain a 20-30 foot
  interval between your entry and units before and after. If a gap develops, safely close it up. Ensure the safety
  of your entry and entry participants. Be safe!
  ****A representative for your entry will be signing the liability waiver for your group.
  CONSTRUCTION AND SAFETY
  All entries must be constructed in a manner that ensures they are safe to operate and will not present a safety
  concern to other participants and spectators. The Parade Committee may remove an entry for safety
  considerations at any time including, but not limited to, during the staging of floats.
  OPERATION:
  Only persons with valid driver’s licenses are permitted to operate or assist in the operation of motorized
  vehicles. All non-motorized entries (foot traffic, bikes, wagons, etc.) must be under control at all times and
  able to keep up with the pace of the parade. Weaving, swerving and irresponsible driving are strictly
  prohibited.
  SAFETY REGULATIONS:

1. All motorized vehicles must have working brakes. Brake checks must be administered prior to the parade
   start.
2. Nothing may be thrown from the entries. Candy and flags are acceptable to be handed out, just not
   thrown. No paper or advertisements are to be handed out.
3. Alcohol is strictly prohibited on all entries.
4. Participants are to be respectful of spectators.
5. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times.
6. If your float/entry includes animals, you must make arrangements to clean up all animal droppings as you
   proceed along the parade route. Droppings left on the road are a hazard for following floats/entries. Failure to
   do so will result in expulsion from this year’s parade and future parades.
   DIMENSIONS & DESCRIPTIONS:
   Dimensions and a description of your entry, including how it relates to the 4th of July Parade
   Spirit and Theme must be included with the application. The announcer’s scripts will be what you write!
   Include your entry’s total combined length of all vehicles (including the appropriate spacing between vehicles)
   so we can allow the appropriate space for the pre-parade line-up of your entry.
   SIGNAGE: All entries must be identified (organization, individual, etc.) with a banner or sign. The name on the
   sign must be the same as the name provided on the application. Signs with your entry number will be
   provided when your group leader registers on the morning of the 4th
   .
   AMERICAN FLAGS: we will honor the American Flag per the Flag Code of the United States.
   The Flag Code Title 4, United States Code, Chapter 1 https://governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-
   05/flagcode.pdf
   AND FINALLY: Please no obscene, vulgar, or defamatory signs which would be offensive to local community
   standards or otherwise considered to be inconsistent with the standards, themes, quality, or purposes of the
   San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce 4th of July Parade.
   Registration will begin at the corner of Spring and Airport Center, if front of M&W at 9am.