Parade Rules and Regulations

1. No individual or unit will be allowed to take part in the parade without the prior approval of the Vicksburg 200 Committee and submittal of an application, Units may participate by means of riding a float (a trailer pulled by a truck) riding in the back of a pickup truck, riding motorcycles of 4-wheeler or walking.

2. All individuals and organizations participating in the parade are subject, while in the City of Vicksburg, to the laws and regulations of the jurisdiction. Failure to adhere to those laws and regulations or to obey the lawful command of an official empowered to give such command will be cause for immediate removal from the parade and may be cause for arrest and/or fine.

3. The conduct and movement of the parade will be controlled by Parade Marshals assigned for that purpose. Participants will obey the direction of the Marshals and all guidelines as they relate to the parade. Failure to do so will cause the offending individual or unit to be removed from the parade and disqualified from all awards.

4. All marching units are to proceed with forward motion only. Short routines (2-3 minutes) may be performed provided the parade is not considerably delayed. No more than 1 stop will be allowed during the parade. 

5. Children under third-grade level (age 8) will not be allowed to march in the parade. Children under age 12 riding in a float must be accompanied by 2 adults. There also needs to be 1 walker on either side of the moving vehicle/float in which the children are riding.

6. Cheerleaders, Dance Lines, Color Guard, ROTC etc established as a school group will be the only dance-performing entrants allowed in the parade. Short routines (2-3 minutes) may be performed provided the parade is not considerably delayed. No more than 1 stop will be allowed during the parade. 

7. There is to be no use of firearms or fireworks at any point in the parade.

8. Parade participants are expected to perform in good taste conducive to a family atmosphere. Marshals will remove any person or unit who in their sole discretion is in violation of this rule.

9. Floats cannot exceed thirteen (13’) feet, six (6”) inches in height, and sixteen (16’) feet in width. All floats are also required to have a fire extinguisher and Fix-A-Flat on board. Please note, trailers with very low clearance (underneath) may not be able to drive through the Convention Center, which is the final part of the route. This would include “lowboy” or low-to-the-ground gooseneck or any other low clearance (underneath) trailers. If you have questions about vehicle acceptability reach out to Kim Hopkins: kimh [at] vicksburg [dot] org.

10. The parade is scheduled to start at 5:00pm, and the average time of sunset for the scheduled parade date is 5:35pm. Please plan accordingly with float and/or individual lights as needed.

11. There will be a winner in each of the following categories: Best In Show, Best Representation of Vicksburg’s Past, Best Representation of Vicksburg’s Present, Best Representation of Vicksburg’s Future, Most Enthusiastic, Most Creative.

12. There will be a maximum of 75 units in the parade: Bands, Floats, Marching Units, Antique Cars, Trucks, etc. Units will be assigned on a first-come first-serve basis.

13. All units should be identified so that the spectators can easily see the name of the unit or its sponsor. Marchers carrying banners or signs should precede the unit. Young children should not be assigned to carry identification banners.

14. In case of inclement weather tune into WBBV, River 101.3 FM to listen to messages concerning the status of the parade.

15. Parade Route: Lineup begins on Mulberry Street. From Mulberry Street, continue onto Veto Street then turn left onto Washington Street. Proceed down Washington Street and turn left onto Mulberry. Continue on Mulberry Street, turn right onto Depot Street, and then turn right onto Pearl Street. From Pearl Street, turn right into the back of the Vicksburg Convention Center and proceed through (VCC), finishing the parade route at the VCC exit side onto South Street. Check out a map of the route here.