Parade

Parade Entries

Businesses, non-profit organizations, families and individuals are invited to enter the annual 4th of July parade. The parade starts at 1:00 p.m. and encompasses a one-mile route that begins at Memorial Park, travels south on Indian Hill Boulevard, west on Harrison Avenue and ends at Larkin Park. Parade entry forms will be available in May and are due by June 4, 2025.

Parade Regulations

The regulations listed below have been developed to maintain the spirit of this long-standing Claremont tradition.

Entrants

• All interested groups are welcome. However, if the parade exceeds its length limits, Claremont residents will be given priority and groups may be limited to one 40-foot staging space per organization. Approval by the Independence Day Committee and City of Claremont is required and will be indicated by return of a confirmation letter with entry number.
• Commercial groups may not participate in the parade in any way.
• Parade participants may not advertise or recognize any commercial entity, product, or service through audible or written messages.
• The American Flag may be used only in accordance with the recognized Flag Code.
• All entries must be identified so that judges and spectators can easily see the name of each unit. The minimum individual letter size should be ten to twelve inches and readable at approximately 100 feet.
• Entries may not contain elements higher than 14 feet for overhead clearance. Entries must be able to negotiate 90 degree turns to and from the Claremont streets of 10th Street, Indian Hill Boulevard, and the Harrison Avenue entrance to Larkin Park at the end of the Parade.
• Entries must be able to move at a rate of approximately 2-3 miles per hour for the entire two-mile parade route.
• Vehicles must have the year, make, and model on a placard placed on each side of the vehicle with a minimum size of 8 ½” x 14”.
• City of Claremont and parade presenting sponsor entries are exempt from parade regulations.
• Each entry is to be decorated in a manner that reflects the spirit of the parade through the use of the event theme and the colors red, white, and blue. The addition of music to entries is highly encouraged.

General Regulations

• All parade participants must agree to abide by all deadlines, rules, and regulations set forth by the Independence Day Committee and City of Claremont. Infractions may result in suspension from future participation.
• All parade participants must comply with all laws, ordinances, and regulations pertinent to health and public safety
• Each vehicle driver must be 18 or older and be the holder of a valid driver’s license and current insurance. A copy of each vehicle driver’s license must be submitted to the City of Claremont no later than the mandatory safety meeting in June.
• Each vehicle driver should have a designated back-up driver. The back-up driver must also submit a copy of their driver’s license to the City of Claremont no later than the mandatory safety meeting in June.
• Each vehicle in the parade must carry current insurance that is in compliance with California State Law. Parade participants should consult their insurance company about protection for their parade entry.
• Each entry must send one representative to attend a mandatory safety meeting at the Hughes Community Center in June. Failure to attend will result in removal from the parade.
• Each vehicle’s registration, insurance, and rental agreement (if applicable) must be available for inspection upon request.
• Parade officials will inspect all entries and reserve the right to eliminate any entry that is in violation or is deemed unsafe by law enforcement.
• All parade participants must abide by the Los Angeles County Fire Code, including any applicable Los Angeles County Fire Department permit requirements and fees.
• Parade participants must obey all directions by parade volunteers, city staff, police, and safety personnel. Non-conforming units may be removed from the parade at any time.
• All parade entries with participants under 18 years old are required to have at least one responsible adult to supervise during the parade. All units with children under age 8 will be expected to station persons along the parade route to assist tired marchers. All children must be dropped off and met by a responsible adult at the beginning and end of the parade.
• All parade entries with participants under 18 years old operating, or riding as a passenger on a bicycle, any type of scooter, or while wearing in-line or roller skates must wear a helmet. This requirement also applies to a person who rides upon a bicycle while in a restraining seat that is attached to the bicycle or in a trailer towed by the bicycle.
• All parade participants are prohibited from throwing any objects or matter into the parade audience while in the parade. For example, no pyrotechnics, water gun shooting, food, candy, toys, paper, discharge of firearms (including blanks), etc. will be allowed. The purpose of this restriction is to maintain a safe, clean parade route and maintain the parade traffic flow.
• For public safety, as well as general cleanliness, items may not be distributed from the parade route. Opportunities to speak and/or distribute literature (or other items) are as follows:
  • Participate in the T. Willard Hunter Speakers Corner
  • Sign-up to have a booth at the festival
  • Pass out materials in the park during the festival
  • Pass out materials from the sidewalk during the parade

•  Parade participants are expected to perform and/or drive courteously, in good taste, and with safety in mind at all times during the formation, performance in and dispersal of the parade.
• All motorized parade entries are to be operated in the center lanes of the streets along the parade route.
• Motorized parade entries will not be driven directly at or toward spectators at any time.
• Motorized parade entries will not be operated within 8 feet of spectators and must be operated in such a manner as to not affect the safety of spectators or other parade units.
• Entries must maintain steady movement of the parade with 20-30 feet between each entry. At no time may any vehicle travel at more than 3mph to help reduce gaps.
• The staging areas for the parade (Larkin Park and the streets adjacent to Memorial Park) are recognized as a part of the parade route and provide a controlled area for parade participants to safely assemble and disperse.
• Vehicles that disperse smoke or fumes are not allowed in the parade.
• Parade entries with animals are responsible for cleaning up animal waste.
• Alcoholic beverages and other controlled substances are forbidden on and along the parade route. This policy includes all staging and disbanding areas. Participants consuming said substances prior to or during the parade will not be allowed to participate and will be removed from the line of march.
• No one is allowed to ride on running boards, hoods, roofs, fenders, or external platforms.