2026 Airdrie Santa Claus Parade Float Registration

Place your business, charity or group in front of 10,000 Airdonians at the Santa Claus Parade! Colourful floats pave the way for SANTA! 2026 Santa Claus Parade - Important Information Please complete custom questions in their entirety. Event Details Date: Saturday December 5, 2026 Time: Parade begins at 5:00pm. Roads closure at 4:30pm and will remain closed until 30 minutes after the parade. Theme: Holiday Season. Airdrie Parades encourages float entries to incorporate use of lights in their floats, as the parade will start at dusk. NOTE: Airdrie Parades will provide a Santa and Mrs. Claus; float entrants are asked not to include a live Santa or Mrs. Claus on their float. Route: Begins at Fletcher Park (6th Avenue NW), will proceed Southbound on Main Street to Ridgegate Blvd. Staging: 4:00pm at Fletcher Park. Detailed information will be sent out after your entry has been confirmed. Candy and Handouts: We are excited to reintroduce candy in the 2026 Santa Claus Parade! Candy must be commercially packaged, individually wrapped, and safe for public consumption. Candy may only be distributed by walkers alongside the spectators and must be handed out, not thrown. Candy must not be thrown, tossed, or placed onto the roadway for collection. Please read the following (below), select your category - Commercial or Not For Profit (NFP) - then complete the registration form as directed. Both commercial and NFP entries may pay the registration fee online using MasterCard or Visa only. NFP entries will be asked to supply their society registration number. The total number of entries for the parade is limited to 40, so register early to secure your spot! Only registered and approved entries will be able to participate in the parade. A description, drawing or photo of your proposed entry is required. Signing up and paying the fee does not guarantee acceptance of your entry. The Committee will review and approve qualified entries. All entries must reflect the Christmas/Winter Theme. Santa and Mrs. Claus are booked by the Committee. Please remember, this is a FAMILY EVENT. Unsuitable entries may be rejected. All approved entries will receive an email regarding Safety Guidelines, Float Decorations Guidelines and the Waiver. You will receive an email with details of a mandatory virtual meeting that all participants MUST send a representative to. This meeting will take place at 7pm on Monday, November 30. Questions? Staging Area Details: Staging will be at 4pm at Fletcher Park north parking lot just west of 6 Avenue NW and Main Street. Please familiarize yourself with the area prior to the parade to ensure efficient and safe staging. Traffic flows will be changed on Parade Day to accommodate proper staging. Please follow directions by our Parade Volunteers when requested. Please remember to be courteous – do not block driveways or intersections. Only floats will be allowed in the staging area. Access will be blocked off at Main Street and 6th Avenue. Only floats and local traffic will be allowed through after 3:30pm. If you are a walking group, or you have a walking group accompanying your motorized entry, you will need to be dropped off in the South Fletcher Park parking lot (entrance off of 1st Avenue). In an effort to keep your group together, please assemble your group at the South Fletcher Park parking lot area and proceed along the pathway to the North Fletcher Park parking lot as a group. Vehicles dropping off group participants will not be allowed access to the North Fletcher Park parking lot area. More details will be sent out the week prior to the event. Bring warm clothing. Parade starts at 5pm. General Parade Float Requirements: 1) All floats must be approved by the parade organizers. 2) Vehicles/floats cannot be greater than 23.3 meters in length, 3.05 meters in width or 3.9 meters in height. 3) To assure safe passage along the parade route, vehicles/floats must have the capability to negotiate a 90 degree turn. 4) Materials guidelines may be related to fire code restrictions or may be in line with a parade’s theme. 5) Participants must remain on floats during the parade and adult supervision for children is required. 6) All walking participants not in organized marching groups must have pro-illumination for safety reasons. 7) All parade participants must adhere to Parade Marshal's instructions including direction from security personnel and volunteers. 8) Failure to comply with Parade Regulations may result in a ban from future parades. 9) All drivers must be in possession of an appropriate valid driver’s license and insurance, liability insurance, must sign indemnity forms if applicable, and adhere to organizers’ inspection policies. Prior to participation, the organizers may have a range of inspectors who grant final approval to a float’s acceptance into the parade. 10) Parade disbursement: those picking up children or participants are strongly encouraged to pre-designate a location outside of the disbursement area. 11) All entries with animals will be inspected – any entries deemed to be unsafe will be denied entry. 12) Excessive and extreme use of the HORN on any automobile will not be permitted as it also poses a safety concern with horses. Similarly, floats are asked to avoid excessive revving of vehicle engines. Burnouts are strictly prohibited. 13) A Fire Extinguisher is recommended for all float entrants. 1 4) Floats may not include a live Santa Claus, as a Santa has already been designated for this event by Airdrie Parades 1 6) Floats related to COVID-19, and adjacent topics such as vaccines, mandates, etc. are not permitted. Airdrie Parades wishes to focus on family fun and the spirit of the holiday season. Important Legal & Insurance Notes: 1) During the registration process you will be asked to agree to the terms and conditions outlined in this document and agreed to in the "Waiver" questions. By acknowledging the waiver, your legal rights are affected. 2) By completing the online registration form you agree that on behalf of the firm/organization/individual, and all participants in this entry, that the City of Airdrie, the Airdrie Parades & Fireworks Committee or any agent or volunteer thereof, assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or property damage suffered in connection with the the Santa Claus Parade howsoever caused (including negligence and excepting only wilful misconduct). You also agree to release and hold harmless such parties from any claim for such injury or damage. You also agree that by completing the online registration form you relinquish any right to litigation. 3) All applicants should carry public liability insurance for their own protection. A minimum of $1,000,000 bodily injury and property damage is recommended. 4) The Parade Committee will endeavor to conduct the parade in a safe and efficient manner; however the ultimate responsibility for safety lies with each individual entrant. In the interest of safety for all participants and spectators, those who disregard these guidelines will be requested to withdraw from the parade. 5) In the event of extreme cold weather or blizzard conditions parade entrants will be notified of the cancellation and subsequent alternate parade date. Please send an e-mail to [email protected] or visit our website at www.airdrieparades.com