NEW - This year, applications will be completed and submitted online. There is no need to print anything out, mail or hand deliver. 

To Apply

Complete and submit the Parade Entry Application at the bottom of this page. Entry applications must be submitted and received by Tuesday, November 12. Once your completed application has been received and approved, the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts staff will contact you for payment. Entries have the option of paying over the phone with a credit card (plus a 3.66% credit card transaction fee) or in person with cash or check.

Entry Fees

Staff will contact you to request payment once your application has been received and approved. Pay by check payable to "City of Encinitas", cash, or *credit card. Refunds will not be issued for inclement weather and after November 12.

*Credit card transactions will be charged an additional 3.66%.

Parade Information

How to be a Great Participant

• Decorate, decorate, decorate
• Have all the people in the entry doing something
• Lights, lights, and more lights
• Write a great narrative
• Keep in touch with the event organizers 

Judging Criteria

1. Use of Theme: How can you convey Creativity in Motion? Share it, show it, color it, do it.
2. Creativity:  How much planning went into the entry? How much originality was depicted?
3. Presentation:  How well is the entry presented? 

Pre-judging will not occur. The judging stand is near the grandstand announcers along the parade route. Keep moving past the judging stand. Performing groups:  please do not stop in front of the judging platform. you will be judged on your performance while moving along the Parade route.

Stopping on the Parade route will negatively impact your score for judging. Stopping creates a ripple effect with entries bunching up behind and long gaps ahead that spectators and the judges don't like to see in a parade.

Awards

First place awards will be given to one group in each of the categories below. Second and third place certificates will also be awarded. Awards will be given in the following categories:

Best Use of Theme
Best Use of Lights
Best Spirit
Most Unusual
Best Children's Group
Best Performance
Best Marching Band
Best Overall

Please contact Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts at prca@encinitasca.gov or call 760.633.2600 with questions or if you need assistance.

• Per the Sheriffs, No throwing, distributing, tossing, or handing out items to the crowd (including candy, prizes, balls, pamphlets, flyers, or brochures.)
  
  
• This is a family event. Absolutely NO alcoholic beverages will be permitted.
  
  
• Children must wear helmets and proper safety gear when riding bikes, skateboards, scooters, etc. Adults are highly encouraged to wear helmets and proper safety gear as well.
  
  
• No political campaigning.
  
  
• The City of Encinitas reserves the right to have the ONLY Santa in the Parade. Santa hats are OK. No Santa costumes/outfits. This keeps it less confusing for young children.
  
  
• DO NOT STOP. All entries must keep forward momentum. EVEN IF YOU’RE A BAND OR PERFORMING GROUP- DON’T STOP. Stopping creates a ripple effect and can cause huge gaps and bunch ups further back on the route, negatively impacting eh spectator experience.
  
  
• Each entry must designate one (1) person from their group as their “entry monitor.” This person will walk at the very front of the entry throughout the entire parade holding the entry number for staff, judges and emcees to easily read.
  
  
• Entries may not exceed 150 people.
  
  
• Buses and semi-tractor trailer rigs are not accepted.
  
  
• Length of the float/flatbed should be no more than 45 ft. and the width no more than 10 ft. Your float cannot exceed 13 1/2 ft. at its highest point.
  
  
• Fire Department Requirements: Section 11.304.
  
  (a) No fire/open flames/fireworks. Decorative material on parade floats shall be non-combustible or flame retardant. No smoking on or near any floats at any time.
  
  (b) Fire Protection. Motorized parade floats and towing apparatus shall be provided with a minimum 2-A, 10-B: C rated portable fire extinguisher readily accessible to the operator.
  
  
• All entries must clean up after themselves. Keep our downtown clean!