The Hot Springs Christmas Parade is a beloved annual event organized by the Oaklawn Rotary, serving as a vital fundraiser that supports Scholarships for Students wanting to further their education. This festive Christmas parade creates a family-friendly atmosphere, ensuring that inappropriate conduct is strictly prohibited.

Participants in the Oaklawn Rotary's Christmas Parade must adhere to a set of official rules designed to foster a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

**Official Rules for all participants include:**

***Only the official Santa Claus provided by the Rotary Committee is permitted.***

1. Throwing objects, such as candy or beads, is prohibited; any candy distribution, if allowed, must be done by handing it to spectators.

2. Maintain continuous forward motion and avoid extended stops unless designated by the Rotary Committee.

3. Alcohol is not allowed.

4. No open flames or fire of any kind.

5. Drivers must be licensed, at least 18 years old, and have valid insurance.

6. All costumes and performances must be family-friendly and align with the Christmas theme.

7. Political campaigning and distributing campaign materials are prohibited.

8. Participants must adhere to the parade route to the end, where Rotarians in vests will direct you to start unloading and disassembling. Do not unload before the end of the parade route.

9. Non-compliance with the rules can lead to removal from the parade or future bans.

10. Participants may enter their respective lots no earlier than 4:30 p.m.

11. You MUST arrive at your assigned lot before the road closure at 6:00 p.m.

12. All entry sales are final; no refunds. This is a charitable event; entry fees fund scholarships awarded by the Oaklawn Rotary and support community projects.

**Float Specific Rules**

1. Floats must have a Christmas theme, and decorations should not protrude from the sides.

2. Floats must provide handholds for riders, who should remain on the float with body parts inside. Young children require adult supervision.

3. Only the official Santa Claus provided by the Rotary Committee is permitted.

4. Size restrictions include a maximum length of 50 feet (including tow vehicle), 13 feet in height, and 10 feet in width.

5. A maximum of 10 costumed walkers are allowed per float.

6. Only Christmas music is permitted, and it may need to be turned off in certain areas.

**Marching Units / Specialty Units**

Marching and specialty units must:

1. Maintain continuous forward motion and avoid creating gaps.

2. Wear suitable costumes aligned with the parade theme.

3. Participants must be at least six years old, with one adult escort required for every six children under 13 years of age.

**Animals**

1. Approval is required for animals.

2. Self-clean-up plans are mandatory if permitted. Must clean up as you walk the parade route.

**Notes/ Reminders:**

Once float entries have reached a maximum of 90 floats, participants will be arranged in a specific order to help with the flow of the Christmas parade and keep our judges on track with the entry order for voting purposes.

The primary contact for each entry will be notified of their place and lot number once the lineup has been set.

You can arrive at your designated lots no earlier than 4:30 p.m.

You must arrive before road closures at 6:00 p.m. If the float is not present by this time, the entry fee will be forfeited, and the float will NOT be allowed to participate in the parade. It is critical not to be late as lining up the parade is a complicated process with extremely tight spacing.

Do not unload early; follow the parade route to the designated area to break down and end the parade safely.

Do not throw items from floats.

Thank you all in advance for helping to make The Hot Springs Christmas Parade an unforgettable event!