IT’S PARADE TIME, HARTSVILLE! Heart of the Holidays 2026 Christmas Parade Application Heart of the Holidays 2026 Christmas Parade Application CONTACT INFORMATION Organization * Email * Point of Contact Cell Phone: * Point of Contact Name: * Second Contact Name: * Phone * Organization Summary * In 50 words or less, please provide information about your organization to be reference by the Parade Emcee during the parade at the judge's table. Entry Category * Athletic OrganizationBandCheerleadingChoral GroupCommercial BusinessCommunity OrganizationDance CompanyDrill TeamsGymnasticsMediaNon-profit OrganizationPageant TitlesPublic OfficialsPublic ServiceReligious OrganizationVehicular Club UNIT ENTRIES Type of entries included in unit (15-foot height limit). Check all that apply: * Antique Vehicle (+25) Bicycle Bus Car Commercial Vehicle Convertible Flatbed Go-Cart Golf Cart Gooseneck Trailer Minivan Motorcycle Pickup Truck Public Service/Emergency Vehicle Pulled Boat Pulled Commercial Equipment Pulled Wagon SUV Tractor Trailer 15 Passenger Van Check any of the following features that apply to your unit. Check all that apply: Animal Unit Athletic Team Float Live/Recorded Music Marching Band Performing Unit WALKERS (Limit 2 per FLOAT) Rental Float (required information below) Total number of expected unit entries * (Ex.: 2 floats, 4 walkers (2 per float) Name of rental company if applicable Rental Company Phone Number CHRISTMAS LIGHT DECORATIONS (MANDATORY) What is a Night Christmas Parade without LIGHTS? All units participating in the parade are required to be well lit. Vehicles and Floats MUST use electric lights to accent their displays via portable generators and/or car adapter plug-ins. Walkers and Marching units will be required to wear with anything creatively lit such as: battery-operated headbands, hats, necklaces, glasses, bracelets, or with the use of reflective tape, tinsel, glowsticks, etc. throughout the entire parade. ABSOLUTELY NO BLUE LIGHTS. Vehicles, floats, trailer, etc without added light will not be allowed in the parade line up due to safety. * Please submit your name below confirming you understand that you must use lights and that you or someone from your organization will be at the mandatory safety meeting (one-on-one call or meeting):: * INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS All submitted information will remain private and will only be used for parade verification purposes. All motorized units (i.e. cars, trucks, golf carts, etc.) MUST have a valid Driver’s License. A copy of each driver’s license for those driving in the parade must be submitted to the City of Hartsville. Attach copies below. Drop a file here or click to upload Choose File Maximum file size: 268.44MB All participants are required to provide proof of personal vehicle insurance for any vehicles being driven in the parade. Please attach a copy of your insurance below. Drop a file here or click to upload Choose File Maximum file size: 268.44MB THE SANTA CLAUSE By signing below, I acknowledge I have read "THE SANTA CLAUSE" * "The Santa Clause": Ho Ho Ho, everyone knows there is only one Santa Claus, and he likes to ride on top of the City of Hartsville Fire Truck at the end of the parade! Therefore, NO REPLICAS, NO IMPERSONATIONS, AND NO COSTUMES RESEMBLING MR. OR MRS CLAUS WILL BE ALLOWED ON ANY UNIT DURING THE PARADE. Please sign above: GENERAL GUIDELINES UNIT ENTRIES INFORMATION CUSTOMIZED FLOATS All custom floats must be built on a trailer or flatbed with at least two (2) axles, pulled by a separate vehicle unless self-propelled. Pickup trucks, cars, vans, and buses are not floats. Custom float entries must provide their own tow vehicle. Tow vehicles must be decorated so that the entire unit has a coordinated appearance. Trailer hitch or attachments must be secure and checked prior to the parade. All entries must be decorated with lights. CYCLES AND SMALL MOTORIZED UNITS Motorcycles, bicycles, and mini-cars are only accepted when part of an organization and only if the motorcycles, bicycles, and mini-cars participate as a performing unit or when the equipment is part of a professional act. Units must have decorative lights. CARS, TRUCKS, AND VANS An individual vehicle is not eligible to participate unless it is unique (i.e. recognized classic or antique car) or decorated. TRUCKS USED TO PULL FLOATS MUST BE DECORATED. Individuals in the vehicle should be part of the entry presentation. ALL VEHICLES AND RIDERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE HOLIDAY LIGHTS AND DECORATIONS. HORSES AND OTHER ANIMALS Due to safety and insurance requirements, only organized equestrian units with trained horses and experienced riders will be considered for participation. Any unit with animal(s) is 100% responsible for cleaning after the animal(s) on parade grounds, during the parade or having animals diapered and have added lights. SAFETY REQUIREMENTS Units must display their Line Up Number during the parade. This number will be assigned according to line up positions and provided at Mandatory Safety Meeting. *Portable Generators may not be enclosed inside a vehicle. *NO PERFORMING at the Judge’s table; this causes delays in the parade cadence. And points will be deducted from judges scores. *Riders on floats may not get on and off the float during the parade at any time. *No one will be allowed to ride on the hood or roof of any vehicle. *NO POLITICAL CAMPAIGNING is allowed during the parade; this causes delays in the parade cadence. *NO ITEMS, SUCH AS CANDY, WILL BE THROWN; ITEMS MAY BE HANDED OUT ALONG THE PARADE ROUTE BY WALKERS ONLY. *Walkers must walk at least 10 feet from the side of moving vehicles. Limit 2 walkers per unit. *Units with children must have adults riding/walking with them for the entire parade. By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the requirements of the Heart of the Holidays Christmas Parade. * RULES AND LIABILITY WAIVER In consideration of your accepting my entry, I hereby, for myself, my child and all participants of my entry, my heirs, executors, and administrators, waive and release any rights and claims for damages I, my child, or entry participants may have against the City of Hartsville and its representatives, successors and assigns for any injuries suffered by myself or my child or entry participants at any activity sponsored by these groups. I have read in its entirety the general rules and the entry guidelines for participating in the 2026 Heart of the Holidays “135 Years In The Making" Christmas Parade. I understand that if I fail to comply with all the participation guidelines, my entry will be removed from the parade lineup. No exceptions. No Refunds. I understand that an electronic signature has the same legal effect and can be enforced the same way as a handwritten signature. By typing my name below, I am electronically signing my application. Name of Group or Participant * Date FEE SCHEDULE Payment can be made online through the Square invoice or in person at The Key, located at 147 West Carolina Avenue. Group A- $50 Per Unit Commercial Business Community Organization Gymnastics Dance Company Vehicular Club (=1 Unit) Pageant Titles Media Group B- $30 Per Unit Religious Organization Athletic Organization Cheerleading Group Choral Group Non-profit Organization Group C- Fee Waived Marching Band Public Service Public Officials Drill Teams For Office Use Only Application Received Fees Received Insurance Received Driver's License Submit If you are human, leave this field blank.
