Parade

Parade Rules

• • Water Fun:
  Light, good‑natured water play is welcome! Water may be gently sprayed or thrown from your entry within reason. To keep the parade safe and tidy, please avoid using automatic hoses/guns, water balloons, or anything that creates litter. Please be considerate of spectators and fellow parade entries.

  • Candy:
  Candy may not be thrown from a vehicle. When handing out candy, please aim for the curb to avoid anyone running into the street.

  • Alcohol:
  For everyone’s safety, alcohol may NOT be consumed in any vehicle or on any float by any parade participant.

  • Vehicles & Drivers:
  All vehicles must be insured, and all drivers must hold a valid driver’s license.

  • Arrival Time:
  Please arrive by 10:30am to ensure a prompt 12pm start time. Late arrivals may be placed at the end of the parade lineup, forfeiting the original placement. Parade Staff will ask entries to tighten spacing immediately before-- thank you for working with them!

  • Vehicle Types:
  To maintain safety, semi tractor‑trailers and large farm equipment are not permitted unless they are transporting a musical or entertainment entry. Please contact us in advance for any special considerations at [email protected].

  • Lineup Updates:
  We may make occasional last‑minute adjustments to the parade order. Please check the email used for registration frequently during the week of the event for updates.

  • Decorations:
  Help us celebrate in style! Except for performing groups, all entries are required to be decorated patriotically. Flags, bunting, and similar elements are encouraged. Remember our theme of “Celebrate America” and decorate accordingly. All entries will be automatically entered into our Parade Float Contest!

  • Music:
  Please keep your music upbeat and family‑friendly. Music must be free of vulgar or offensive language, as determined by the Columbus 4th of July Organization.

  • Performance Payments:
  Performance entry payments will be distributed before the parade begins.

  • Registration Confirmation:
  Registration confirmations, lineup numbers, and lineup instructions will be emailed the week of July 4th. Entries must be registered by June 15, 2026. Late entries may be placed at the end of the parade or may not be able to participate depending on space.
  
  • Late/Unregistered Entries:
  Late or unregistered entries may not be accepted. These entries will be parked in a designated waiting area. Registration and rule adherence is required to participate.

  • Entry Fees:
  Commercial entries that are not sponsors or advertisers will have a $75 entry fee prior to the event.

  Please send payments to:
  Columbus Fourth of July Organization, Inc.
  Parade Entry Payment
  P.O. Box 283
  Columbus, WI 53925

  • Animal Entries:
  Groups with animals must provide their own clean‑up crew to promptly manage waste.

  • Arrival Instructions:
  Please bring your line-up number. Enter the parade area at Thoma Rd (near Countryside Vet Clinic), check in with the attendant, then proceed to your assigned position. Parade spots are marked on the left side; please park/line up on the right side. Drive slowly & carefully—this area gets very busy—and be mindful not to block driveways.

  • Flags/Decor:
  Approved flags include the current United States flag and official Active Military Flags. Variations of the U.S. flag or political/candidate flags are not permitted. Any disallowed flags may not be part of any participant costumes and/or accessories. If your group would like to include a specialty flag, please contact us in advance for any special considerations at [email protected].

  • Rule Compliance:
  The Columbus 4th of July Organization may ask an entry to stop participating if rules are not followed. We operate independently from the City of Columbus and reserve the right to make these decisions, and the Columbus Police Department will help enforce if necessary.

  • Respect for Community:
  Please follow all Columbus City laws and help us maintain a respectful, welcoming environment for our community and all participants.

Parade Entry

Parade Entry Form

Payments due for any performance entry will be distributed prior to beginning of the parade. A $75.00 fee shall be charged for any commercial entry that is not already a sponsor, or an advertiser in the Fourth of July Advertisement Book.

Send any payments to: Columbus Fourth of July Organization, Inc. Parade Entry Payment P.O. Box 283 Columbus, WI 53925. Confirmation of your registration will be emailed (or mailed) one week in advance, along with “Line-Up Directions” and “Line-Up Number”. In order to participate, complete the ‘Entry Form’ herein, or a paper copy (which can be found in the 4th of July Advertisement book as well), and should be returned no later than June 20, 2024.

Late or unregistered entrants/entries may or MAY NOT be allowed in the parade, depending on number of entries, and will be “parked” at a pre-designated “waiting area”.

Please bring your confirmation number, or KNOW your confirmation number.
Thank you for your participation, Columbus 4th of July Committee!

*For the purpose of clarification, “Flag” is defined as “The United States Flag” (Red and White Stripes, and 50 stars)or An Official Ac-tive Military Flag, no other version of the US Flag, no political candidate’s flag, no Confederate Flag, etc…; Any disallowed flags may not be part of any participant costumes and/or accessories.

**The Columbus 4th of July Organization reserves the right to refuse the entry permission to continue along the route, if in the opinion of the Columbus 4th of July Organization, the rules are not followed; the Columbus 4th of July Organization is a separate entity from the City of Columbus, and reserves the right to act on its own opinion.