2016
Parade Manual
“Rhapsody in Pink: A Southern Melody”
This manual is published by the Cherry Blossom Festival to assist all
participants, sponsors, etc. in the understanding of the rules and
regulations, policies, and relationships that affect them. Please read
this information before completing your application form. The
information contained in this manual is subject to change.
Parade Theme
This year’s theme is “Rhapsody in Pink: A Southern Melody.”

REGISTRATION FEES FOR 2016
All registration fees are non-refundable unless your entry is not accepted.
Fees
 No fees are required for schools and military units
 Non-Commercial Units (Nonprofits, Places of Worship & Community
Groups): $75
 Commercial Units (Businesses & Organizations): $300
Method of Payment
 For those paying by credit card, you will be prompted to pay your
registration fee after you have completed the application.
 For those paying by checks or money order, please make payable to
Cherry Blossom Festival.
 For those paying with cash, please bring to the Cherry Blossom Festival
Headquarters at 794 Cherry Street.
INSURANCE AND SAFETY
INSURANCE
 Must provide an insurance certificate stating they have Comprehensive
General Liability (CGL) insurance with combined single limit of insurance
of no less than $500,000, covering bodily injury, personal injury and
property damage.
 Float units must provide commercial automobile insurance with a
minimum combined single limit of no less than $500,000.
 The insurance certificate must contain the following: Macon Georgia
Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc., Macon GA’s International Cherry Blossom
Festival (and other legal entities) named as an Additional Insured, a
Waiver of Subrogation in favor of Macon Georgia Cherry Blossom
Festival, Inc., Macon GA’s International Cherry Blossom Festival (and
other legal entities) and a written thirty (30) day notice of policy
cancellation clause.
All Individual Vehicle Applicants:
 Must provide an insurance certificate stating they have minimum
automobile insurance liability limits of $100,000 per person, $300,000 per
occurrence, $100,000 property damage, for all vehicles.
The Insurance Certificate must contain the following provisions:
a) Certificate Holder - Macon Georgia Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc.
(794 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201) should be listed as the
certificate holder.
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b) Additional Insured - Macon Georgia Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc.
(794 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201) is to be named as
Additional Insured with respect to any liability arising from the
applicant’s participation in the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on
both the CGL and automobile policies.
c) Cancellation Clause - The insurance certificate shall state the
policies certified will neither be canceled nor reduced in limits
without a 30-day notice delivered by certified mail to Macon
Georgia Cherry Blossom Festival Inc., 794 Cherry Street, Macon,
GA 31201.
d) Waiver of Subrogation in favor of Macon Georgia Cherry Blossom
Festival, Inc.
*Applicants who do not provide a certificate verifying the above provisions will not
be permitted to participate in the parade.
VEHICLES
 Drivers of all vehicles in the parade and those entering the parade line-up
area must have a valid driver’s license, have proper proof of insurance as
required by state law, and be at least 18 years old.
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY
 The parade is a rain or shine event. The parade will only be cancelled in
the event of inclement weather. There will be no refunds issued because
of a parade delay or cancellation due to inclement weather.
 You may decline to participate with no penalty if you decide the weather
may threaten to damage your unit’s uniforms, props, or instruments.
PARADE ROUTE
The parade will begin at the intersection of MLK Jr. Blvd. and Cherry Street. The
parade will proceed up Cherry Street, make a right onto New Street, and then
proceed back down Mulberry Street to MLK Jr. Blvd.
PARKING
The Cherry Blossom Festival does not provide a designated parking area for
parade participants.
LINE-UP AREA
 Please enter the line up area at the corner of Oglethorpe Street & Fifth
Street. Parade Committee members will be at this area to assist any units
that may need help finding their place in the line up.
 Line up numbers will be painted along both sides of Fifth Street.
 Units should be in their place no later than 1:45pm.
 Your position in the line up may be altered or cancelled if your unit is not in
place by 1:45pm.
 Judging will take place before the parade begins.
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

Unit support vehicles such as cars, buses, trucks, and trailers must
promptly unload equipment and passengers and move out of the line-up
area by continuing down Fifth Street and exiting at the MLK Jr. Blvd
intersection.
No support vehicles will be allowed in the parade and no support vehicles
are allowed to park along the parade line-up area.
ORDER OF APPEARANCE
 The Cherry Blossom Festival Parade Committee will determine the
appearance order for all parade units.
 Participants will receive their line up spot number no later than Friday,
March 18. The line up list will also be posted on our website.
MEDIA/BROADCAST
 41NBC will broadcast the parade. Dates and times for the broadcast will
be released at a later date.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Individuals and organizations participating in the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade
are expected to perform courteously, in good taste, and with safety in mind at all
times during the assembly, execution, and dispersal of the parade. If your unit
does not comply, you may be dismissed from the parade without reimbursement
of your registration fee.
DISTRIBUTION OF MATERIALS FROM THE UNIT
 No samples or materials of any kind can be thrown or tossed from your
unit while on the parade route.
 Unit members walking near the crowd line may hand out items, with preapproval by the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade Committee. Please list
any items you would like to distribute on the application. If your unit
distributes items, which were not pre-approved, your organization may be
banned from future parades.
ALCOHOL & DRUGS
 The consumption of any alcoholic beverage and/or illegal drugs by any
participant or support staff in the assembly area, during the parade route,
or dispersal area is strictly prohibited.
 The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office will strictly enforce all City, County, and
State statutes concerning the consumption of alcoholic beverages or
drugs before, during, and after the parade.
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PHYSICAL GUIDELINES - FLOAT UNITS
FLOAT DIMENSIONS
 Units MUST NOT exceed 20 feet in width. The maximum length is 45 feet,
including tow vehicle.
 Units must not be taller than 13 feet in height.
DECORATIONS
 Floats shall be constructed and decorated so that viewing from either side
is appealing.
 All signs and banners should be of high quality and easily readable.
 Consideration should be given to using flame retardant materials
whenever possible.
 NO PYROTECHNICS of any kind are allowed on the float or in the
parade.
FLOAT ELECTRICAL
 Wiring devices must be UL approved, in good condition, and of sufficient
capability for the use intended for them on the float.
 All connections must be made of approved electrical boxes/ devices with
all electrical circuits properly fused
MUSIC
 Music should be complimentary to the unit and not disruptive to the
audience or other parade participants. Please have consideration for other
units in mind when using music in the parade.
 The Cherry Blossom Festival reserves the right to control the level of
sound coming from your unit.
 Absolutely no profanity or illicit lyrics in any song shall be played.
PORTABLE GENERATORS
 Portable generators used for floats must be securely mounted on a vehicle
or other substantial base. A minimum of 12 inches clearance must
separate the generator from combustible material.
 Generators must be equipped with firmly attached metal exhaust blinds
that terminate either into a common exhaust serving both vehicles and
generator or to the exterior of the unit in the same manner as the vehicle
exhaust.
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
 At least one four-pound dry chemical or one 10-pound carbon dioxide fire
extinguisher must be placed within easy reach of the driver of the unit.
FLOAT INSPECTION
 All floats are subject to safety inspections.
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
Any errors not corrected by the final safety inspection may cause the float
to be dismissed from the parade.
PHYSICAL GUIDELINES – SPECIALTY UNITS
SPECIALTY UNITS
Specialty units are defined as non-motorized, entertaining, and creative. A
specialty unit is not just a group of people walking down the street, but it could be
a group of people in colorful costumes using choreography, props, and themes to
entertain the crowds. Examples include cultural performances, dance groups,
cheer teams, and horse units.
DECORATIONS
 All signs should be of professional quality and easily readable.
MUSIC
 If a specialty unit requires music, it must be presented in a distinguished
mobile unit or in a decorated, hand-drawn or small engine powered unit.
 Music should be complimentary to the unit and not disruptive to the
audience or other participants.
 The Cherry Blossom Festival reserves the right to control the level of the
sound coming from your unit.
 Absolutely no profanity or illicit lyrics shall be played.
EQUESTRIAN UNITS
 Coggins Requirement - Georgia law requires that all horses that come
together for public display (i.e. a parade) must have a current negative
Coggins Test (GA Administrative Code: 40-13-3-06).
 Proof of Negative Coggins testing must be provided with the application.
 All Equestrian units must come prepared to clean up after themselves on
the route.
CANINE UNITS
 Rabies Vaccination Requirement - State law requires that any and all
canines must have a current certification of rabies vaccination.
 Proof of rabies vaccination must be provided with the application.
 City Ordinance - All dogs in a public place must be effectively restrained
by chain or leash not exceeding eight (8) feet in length and any person
having the custody or control of any dog shall have the responsibility for
cleaning up any feces of the animal and disposing of such feces in a
sanitary manner.
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MARCHING BANDS
 Marching bands will be the only units allowed to stop and perform. They
are allowed 30 seconds. Once 30 seconds has passed, the unit must
move forward to keep the parade flow consistent.
 Bands are required to be preceded by marchers carrying signs or a
banner indicating the marching band. Banners are the responsibility of the
marching band and must be provided by the band.
PARADE AWARDS
The following awards will be given out at the parade. In the event of rain, awards
will be given to the winners at a later date.
Award
Description
Eligibility
Grand Marshal’s Award
Best Expression of the
Parade Theme
All Participants
William Fickling Award
Best use or display of
Cherry Blossoms
All Participants
Queen’s Award
Most Original Design
Commercially Built Units
Princess Award
Most Original Self-Built
Float
Self-Built Floats
Carolyn Crayton Award
Most
Creative/Entertaining
Float
All Floats
President’s Award
Most Outstanding
Specialty Unit
All Specialty Units
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