The theme for the 79th Annual Greater Manassas Christmas Parade is ‘Elfin’ Around Old Town’!

Participant Applications are now closed. 


If you are interested in sponsoring the parade, you will receive a position in the parade as part of your sponsorship package.  
Visit the sponsorship page for details: https://gmchristmasparade.org/become-a-sponsor/


Questions: applications@gmchristmasparade.org

 

 

CATEGORIES & APPLICATION FEES
  • Vehicle Clubs – $155
  • Marching Band – $155
  • Equestrian / Animals – $155
  • Non-Profit Organization – $155
  • Fire / Rescue Equip (up to 3) – $155
  • Cheerleading, Majorette, Step Team – $155
  • Dance Company – $330
  • Business – Float or Vehicle – $330
Applications are complete ONLY when payment has been received.

ALL payments must be made online. We are NO longer accepting checks. 

 

 

MANDATORY SAFETY PARTICIPANT MEETING
Thursday, November 20
 7pm
Location:
The Salisbury Center
8890 Mathis Avenue
Manassas, VA 20110
Parade position numbers will be distributed at this meeting. It is imperative that at least one member of each group/unit that will be performing in the parade attend this meeting. Any remaining questions will be answered at this meeting.
 
The information below is for your reference and comes directly from the Parade Participant Application.
 
RULES AND REGULATIONS 
Please read carefully as the rules and regulations have been updated June 2024.

  • The Parade Committee has the right to establish the parade theme, determine the number of entries, select and reject participants at its sole discretion and control parade operations on the day of the event.  All participants must be approved in advance by the parade committee and represent an organized and recognized community, neighborhood or other non-profit group. 
  • Dressing as Santa or Mrs. Claus is NOT permitted. 
  • Weapons, fireworks or any item that makes loud or sudden noises, as well as smoke bombs or any items that hinder visibility are NOT permitted.
  • The use of alcohol, drugs or any illegal substance is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate removal from the parade. 
  • Any individual who operates a truck, car, motorcycle, tractor, or any type of vehicle in the parade MUST posses a valid driver’s license and proper insurance. 
  • Drivers are expected to drive slowly, obey laws and maintain at least two car lengths away from the unit in front of them.
  • Vehicle entries are required to carry a five pound fire extinguisher.
  • Each parade group/unit must be properly identified by a sign or banner carried by a walker or mounted on the front of the unit.
  • Each unit will be provided a unit number that MUST be visible and clearly displayed. 
  • Parade entries must be costumed/designed appropriate to the theme of the parade.  All participants in a group/unit must contribute to the theme.
  • All group/unit entries (e.g. bands, scout troops, etc.) must be uniformly dressed to participate in the parade.
  • Participants are encouraged to perform forward motion drills, dancing, etc along the route while maintaining forward movement of the parade. 
  • Participants may not sell, or offer for sale, any commodity service, food or drink on the day of the parade.
  • Participants may not throw any item toward spectators including, but not limited to candy, flowers, leaflets, or promotional items. Failure to follow this rule will result in immediate removal from the parade. 
  • For safety reasons, children under the age of 8 shall not walk in the parade and must be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times.
  • Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times. 
  • Only one business advertised per application/entry.  No business marked vehicle shall be used in any non-business entry.  If a business vehicle is used, an additional $300 entry fee is required. 
  • In the event of inclement weather, the parade will continue as scheduled. Your attendance in the event during inclement weather is at your discretion. There will be NO REFUNDS.
  • Parade staging marshals in safety vests will be stationed along the route to ensure safety, security and continuous movement of the parade for all participants and spectators and may remove any person or entry if found in violation of these rules or other dangerous situations. 
  • A representative from your unit/entry MUST be at the MANDATORY SAFETY PARTICIPANT MEETING on Thursday, November 20, 7pm at the Salisbury Center located at 8890 Mathis Avenue. 
 
PERFORMANCE AND TIME RESTRAINTS
If you are performing at the Judges’ Stand, the below guidelines apply. 

When performing in front of the Judges’ Stand, groups/units will be limited a a MAXIMUM OF 2 MINUTES FROM BEGINNING OF PERFORMANCE TO END OF PERFORMANCE.
‘Beginning of Performance’ is defined as ANY HALTING of the forward movement of the group/unit in preparation for the performance.  Marching at half-time to allow the setting up of props will not be allowed.
‘End of Performance’ is defined as when the group/unit has faced down the Parade route and started marching forward.  HESITATION THEREAFTER WILL NOT BE ALLOWED.
A parade marshal will be operating a 2 minute timing device in front of the Judges’ Stand and will alert your unit when 30 seconds is left in the allowed performance time. Disqualification may result for groups/units going over the 2-minute time limit.
Only props hand-carried by the performers along the entire parade route will be allowed during the performance at the Judges’ Stand.  All performing groups using recorded music must submit their music at the Mandatory Participant Safety Meeting on Thursday, November 20 at 7pm at the Salisbury Center.
Judging will be based on Christmas spirit, originality and incorporation of the parade theme. 

 

 
PARADE MARSHALS
Parade Marshals will be stationed along the entire parade route to ensure safety, security and the continuous forward movement of the parade. These individuals will be dressed in attire that will be easily recognized. Groups/Units creating gaps, after having been warned by the Parade Marshals, may be asked to exit from the parade.

 


INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY
The parade will NEVER be canceled. However, performances at the Judges’ Stand may be limited or canceled depending on the weather conditions. There are NO refunds for inclement weather. 

 


LIVE ANIMALS
If your unit consists of live animals, please read the section below.
Sec. 18-8. – Allowing animals to urinate or defecate on public property or property of another. It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly or willingly to allow any animal belonging to that person to urinate or defecate on any public property, or the property of another without the consent of the owner of the property or his agent, provided that it shall not be unlawful to allow urination or defecation by such animal within the curb or gutter area of a public street or roadway, and provided that defecation by an animal on public property shall not be unlawful if the owner of the animal removes the animal’s excrement immediately and disposes of it in a public trash receptacle or in a public sanitary sewer, or on the owner’s own property in a lawful manner.

 


HANDOUTS
Distributing of literature is discouraged.  Handing out candy or other items along the parade route is permitted as long as it is HANDED to an individual. Throwing candy or other items from vehicles is NOT permitted.  Failure to follow these rules will result in immediate removal from the parade.