Parade of Lights Application

• Parade is led by Bridgewater Police Department who sets the pace of the parade. 
• Vehicles will retain valid motor vehicle act requirements and insurance. 
• Vehicles must maintain a safe distance between the float in front of them and maintain the pace of the parade as established by the lead vehicle.
• Children are to be dropped off in the area identified in NSCC front parking lot and a “group leader” for the ‘registered float’ must be in that area to receive them. Cars shall not be permitted into the lower marshalling area. 
• All children must be supervised by an adult. 
• Throwing Candy is NOT permitted  
• No entry is permitted to throw or hand out candy or other freebies from their parade float or vehicle. This is a major safety concern, any violation of this rule will not be tolerated.  
• If you wish to pass out candy, promotional materials, or walk alongside your float, etc adults/responsible individuals may walk alongside the float to directly hand out items – they MUST WEAR SAFETY VEST or similar light reflecting clothing.
• PLEASE NOTE: If you are identified throwing candy or other items from your vehicle, you will be removed from the parade and you WILL NOT be permitted to register for next year's event. 
• Participants may not get on or off moving vehicles or floats. 
• For participant safety, handhold or safety harnesses are suggested for participant standing or sitting on floats. 
• Alcoholic beverages in the marshalling area and during the parade are strictly forbidden. 
• All electrical devices must meet safety standards and electrical output must not exceed the maximum amperage of the generator. 
• The use of fire on a float is not permitted. 
• Please be aware that it is a Motor Vehicle Act violation to ride on the back of a parade float outside of the parade route. 
• It is a Motor Vehicle Act violation to operate off road vehicles on town roads. These vehicles need to arrive at the NSCC on a trailer, then that trailer needs to be moved to the end of the parade route for pick up. 
• Pre-Approval is required for horses/live animals. Verification of insurance will be required for the owner/sponsor of horses. No livestock are permitted on the NSCC property. 
• After completing the parade route all floats must turn off decorative lights and music, and participants must safely exit the float. 

SENSORY FRIENDLY ZONE: 
A Sensor Friendly Zone will be part of the parade route this year, from the NSCC along High Street to the upper part of Empire Street. This zone is ideal for anyone wishes to take in the parade experience but have sensitivities to loud noises and flashing lights. 
 
Handouts will be given to all participants in the parade marshalling area to remind parade participants to keep loud music and strobing lights turned off. Volunteers will also be at the "end" of the zone on Empire Street to signal you to turn on your lights and music upon exiting the area. 
 
Please note: The parking lots on the NSCC campus are not Low Sensory Zones as the Marshals need to be able to determine which floats have music and lights to organize the floats in the appropriate manner.

Parking for this zone will be available at the Bridgewater Provincial Courthouse on High Street. 
 
TRUCK SAFETY:
18 wheeler trucks, ½ ton and ¾ ton trucks large floats 

For medium to large floats it is mandatory to have a spotter of 18 yrs of age or older per set of axle(s) and on both sides of the vehicle. Example an 18-wheeler, would require 6 spotters minimum.
 
Two spotters for front axle, two spotters for rear axles on the truck and two spotters for the rear trailer set of axles. More sets of axles requires more spotters.  
 
1/2-ton, 3/4 ton trucks would be exempt, except for towing long trailers more than 18’ would require spotters for the trailer only.
 
Truck/ float size will be 44 ft (13.41 metres.) or less 
 
Any float longer than 44’ , please contact Megan Jones, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
OTHER RULES & REGULATIONS:
All entries must have a holiday theme (decorations, lights, music encouraged). Live music must be festive and floats and walking groups should only provide entertainment value suitable for a family audience and should not be purely promotional. 
 
All registrants are required to ensure that their entries are appropriate for an all-ages audience. To that end, any vehicles, floats, or even individuals that have signage, decals, or otherwise that includes vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language as deemed by the Parade Marshall and/or the Christmas on the LaHave Committee will be pulled from the parade line-up and prohibited from further future participation in the parade. 

Additionally, parade entrants are responsible for ensuring that any music being played is appropriate for all audiences and contains age-appropriate (clean) language. Any participants found to be in violation will be pulled from the parade and/or prohibited from participating in a future event for a period of time to be determined by the Christmas on the LaHave Committee. 

Thank you for enabling the parade to be enjoyed by all-ages. 
 
Only vehicles towing a float are permitted, unless pre-authorized by parade committee. 
 
SANTA CLAUS 
Santa Claus is presented by the title sponsor. No other entry is permitted to have Santa Claus represented.
 
DISCLOSURE:   
If the above rules and regulations are not adhered to, the Town of Bridgewater and the Christmas on the LaHave Committee reserve the right to refuse participation. 
 
By submitting an application to participate in the Christmas on the LaHave Parade, any participating parties hereby consent to and assume for themselves or their organizations and participants, all risk of loss or injury caused by or incidental to the conduct of the Christmas on the LaHave Parade. Applicants also hereby agree, on behalf of themselves or their organizations and participants, to fully assume all risk and to indemnify and save harmless the Town of Bridgewater and all its agents, employees, councillors, assigns, and successors, as well as all organizers and sponsors of the Christmas on the LaHave Parade, from any and all liability for any loss, damage, injury, or any other legal event which may occur to persons or property as a result of participation in the Christmas on the LaHave Parade. By submitting an application to participate in the Christmas on the LaHave Parade, all applicants understand and acknowledge that the image of any and all event participants may be used for promotional purposes by the Town of Bridgewater and its sponsors; applicants acknowledge that it is their responsibility to ensure that any participants involved with their float or entry are made aware that their photos/images/video of them may be used for promotional purposes by the Town of Bridgewater; that their contact information may be used by the Town of Bridgewater and its committees/commissions for the purposes of event development, marketing, and outreach including but not limited to the Christmas on the LaHave Parade of Lights and other future events; and all applicants acknowledge and confirm that they have authority to bind the above noted individual/organization/performance group/business.