Marshall Parade Rules, Info, and Timeline

1. LIGHTS: EVERY entry MUST BE WELL-LIT and decorated for the holidays. This is a night time parade, so a well-lighted entry is necessary for the safety of parade attendees and participants. Headlights do not count toward lighting your vehicle. If your vehicle is not decorated and/or has only minimal lights, you will not be allowed to participate in the parade.

2. WALKERS: Marching bands, ALL walkers, performers, etc. MUST be in uniform, costume, or wear holiday-appropriate attire. Walkers should have lights or glow sticks on every person!

3. JUDGING: If you choose to have your float judged, make sure to have 2 people available to carry a banner if you win!

4. PACE: All participants are required to keep pace with the parade marshal and keep spacing gaps to a minimum between groups/floats to ensure a smooth and continuous parade.

5. SANTA: Santa is not allowed on any entry. There is only ONE Santa and he is found on the last float. No one else is allowed to dress as Santa and he is not to be depicted in any life-like decorations.

6. CANDY: Absolutely no candy can be THROWN from vehicles! Keep candy out of the center of the road to keep people/children safely out of the path of parade vehicles.

Candy is to be passed out by walking participants ONLY. To keep the parade moving quickly, candy should be “underhand tossed” to BEHIND the barriers lining Michigan Avenue (into the “parking spaces” area). VIOLATORS MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE PARADE AND/OR NOT ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN FUTURE PARADES.

7. ANIMALS: Any entry containing animals MUST include a clean-up crew or appropriate apparatus to eliminate waste being left in the road. No one wants to step in a mess!

8. Gun shots and cannons are not allowed. Live fire/flames are allowed only with special permission.

9. Vehicles on trailers are not permitted without prior approval.

FINAL APPROVAL OF PARTICIPATION AND DECORATION OF ENTRY WILL BE HELD AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHRISTMAS COMMITTEE.

Specific parade instructions and placements will be emailed the week prior to the parade, so keep watch on the email you enter on your form.

Parade Applications Due: Tuesday, November 10, 2026

Instructions emailed with placement and details Between November 16 - 20, 2026

PARADE: November 30, 2026

TIMELINE FOR PARADE NIGHT IS SUPER TIGHT! PLEASE SEE BELOW:

5:00-5:30pm Volunteer meeting at the Choose Marshall Welcome Center for instructions, reflective gear and clipboards, and a pizza dinner

5:40 - 6pm FLOATS line-up

6pm ALL FLOATS must be in place with decorations set and lights working

6 - 6:30pm All other entries line-up

6 - 6:30pm Judges will evaluate floats to be judged and declare winners by 6:30

6:30pm All Entries In Place

6:30-6:45pm Float winners will receive their banners

7:00PM SHARP! Parade Begins

Around 9pm Parade ENDS in the area of the Marshall Middle School, please make arrangements to pick up walkers, etc with this knowledge in mind.