Ojai, CA
RULES AND REGULATIONS
I. PURPOSE:
The Ojai Independence Day Committee is a not-for-profit, non-political organization. It does not
promote any individual, business, social, commercial or political purpose. It is formed solely for the
purpose of promoting a patriotic celebration of Independence Day. The Committee is an independent
organization made up of volunteers.
II. AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD:
A. The Ojai Independence Day Committee reserves the right to refuse any entry into the
parade which does not depict the parade theme and patriotic purpose or does not adhere to the
policies of the Committee, Safety Rules,or Committee Rules, as stated.
B. Parade entrants agree to abide by all rules and decisions of the Ojai Independence Day
Committee. Any misrepresentation or failure to abide by Committee rules is grounds for removal
from parade. Decisions of the Board are final and not subject to review by any other body.
C. No entry will be allowed to participate in the parade which did not meet the application deadline
or fails to provide proof of approval by the Ojai Independence Day committee at the line-up area
on July 4th.
D. Although an entrant chooses the category he wishes to enter, the Committee makes the final
decision as to the correct category for each entrant.
III. POLICY
A. BANNERS:
1) One banner preceding your entry is allowed. No size limit.
2) Banner carriers must be capable of maintaining the parade pace. If the pace of the
banner carriers is impeding the parade progress the banner will be removed.
B. SPONSORS OF NOT-FOR-PROFIT ENTRIES:
1) Entries may be sponsored by an individual business or businesses in a mutual association.
2) A logo or business name may be used on an entry, however, the entry may not be used
primarily for advertising purposes and must be in keeping with the patriotic spirit of the
parade. Signs must be limited to two per entry. Maximum size per sign not to exceed 24 in.
x 36 in.
C. BUSINESSES MAY ENTER ANY COMMERCIAL CATEGORY
Entry fee for commercial vehicles is $85.00. However, if, in the opinion of the Committee, the
entry decoration is in keeping with the patriotic spirit of the parade, and current theme,
“4th of July. . . through a child's eye" the amount of $60 will be refunded after July 4.
D. EXPENSE:
No limit. The use of ingenuity and creativity in the design and execution of an entry is
encouraged and favored by the judging criteria.
E. HAND-OUTS OR GIVEAWAYS:
NO HANDOUTS OR GIVEAWAYS OF ANY KIND ARE PERMITTED DURING THE PARADE
F. PERFORMANCE:
1) Any performance along the route or in front of the judges stand or TV filming area must be
a moving/marching routine. Any entry that stops to perform shall be ineligible for an award.
2) All drill teams and walking entries will be partially prejudged for performance at line-up area
at 9:30 A.M. Each entry shall be allowed to perform a two minute routine for the judges.
Only moving marching routines will be permitted at the TV and Reviewing Stands. As cited
above, any entry that stops to perform shall be ineligible for an award. Final Judging is at the
Judging Stand in front of Libbey Park.
DO NOT STOP AT THE REVIEW STAND.
G. POLITICAL
The Committee is a non-political organization. Only current office holders are allowed to enter
the parade. Small signs on either side of a car are permitted. Individuals or organizations who
try to use the parade to further their own or others’ campaigns will be removed from the
parade.
Under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, tax-exempt organizations are prohibited
from participating or intervening in political activities.
H SUPPORT VEHICLES:
1) Motorized entries (floats, cars, etc.) will not be permitted to have a support vehicle.
2) Marching units and walking entries are permitted to have one support vehicle.
3) You must describe your vehicle on your supplement form to be eligible to have a support
vehicle in the parade
IV. SAFETY RULES:
A. Section 18, title 4 of the Ojai Municipal Code states: “No objects, water balloons, squirt guns,
water, etc., will be thrown by either spectators or participants. (This includes play money,
advertising, political literature, candy, balloons, etc. (Citations will be issued to violators.)
B No alcohol or drugs allowed at the parade or in the line-up formation area. Anyone under the
influence will be removed from the parade.
C. No motorcycles except for drill teams or sponsored clubs. All participants riding motorcycles,
motorized bikes or bicycles must wear helmets in compliance with California State law.
D. Children in the line-up area (formation) area, must be under adult supervision provided by the
responsible party for their entry. An adult must accompany children under 10 in the parade.
E. Paraders are asked not to race engines, sound sirens, make loud noises or quick motions when
horses are nearby.
V. COMMITTEE RULES
A. No commercial, religious or political matter may be passed out along the parade route, or at any
other venues. Violators will be removed from the parade and/or other venues.
B. All participants must be constumed, uniformed, or appropriately attired for their entry. All
vehicles must be decorated.
C. If your entry uses live or recorded music, you are expected to keep the volume at a level that will
not conflict with nearby entries. If your entry’s music is so loud that the music of other entries
cannot be heard, a Parade Official will stop you and disqualify your entry. (Please use good
judgment to ALLOW ALL ENTRIES FAIR REPRESENTATION ALONG THE PARADE ROUTE)
VI. APPLICATIONS
A. All complete applications (includes application, supplemental form, and entry fee) must be
postmarked by or turned in at the Ojai Recreation Department before 4:00 p.m. on June 8.
C . A separate application must be submitted for each entry in parade. Example: A school that
enters their baton twirlers, drum major, and color guard to be judged, must submit a separate
application for each. If to be considered as one entry, submit one application only.
E . If an organization has more than one entry to be judged, please list on one of your applications,
the order in which you want them to appear. Example: (1) Banner, (2) color guard, (3) float..
For Participants of
the Parade
Participant Information
Application Form
Judging Category List
Supplemental Application
Form
Release to Media Form
Meetings & Schedules
Judging & Awards
Resources
Entry Marshal Duties