• Entry must have a parade pass visible to enter staging site/parade

• School must have a unit or unit name on vehicle(s) used Violators will be removed

• A 5-pound fire extinguisher is required for all parade entries.

• Must submit a separate application for each entry in the parade!

PARADE ENTRY FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.

PARADE ENTRY DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, JANUARY 15TH, 2027

WAIVER AND RELEASE

PARTICIPANT releases Texas Citrus Fiesta and all others from any claims of participant arising from participation in the event known as the “Parade of Oranges.”

In exchange for the right to participate in our parade the PARTICIPANT hereby waives, releases and discharges any and all claims for injuries to person, including death, or damages to property by PARTICIPANTS participation in our event. This release discharges the Texas Citrus Fiesta, Inc. and any other promoters, sponsors, promoting club, officials, other municipalities or other public entities and their respective agents and employees (others) associated with the event from and against any and all liability arising out of negligence or carelessness on the part of the Texas Citrus Fiesta and/or others.

PARTICIPANT understands and acknowledges that a serious accident can occur during activities such as our event; knowing such risks PARTICIPANT hereby assumes all those risks of injury to person(s), including death or to the property (ies) related to the event and release and hold harmless from liability the “Texas Citrus Fiesta, Inc.” and others negligence or carelessness.

Further, PARTICIPANT hereby grants full permission to any or all foregoing to use any photographs, videotapes, motion pictures, recordings or any other record of this event.

PARTICIPANT further agrees to abide by the instructions and rules given by the Texas Citrus Fiesta Chairman and event personnel and all written rules given in the application.

ALL JUDGES DECISIONS ARE FINAL!

PARADE RULES AND REGULATIONS

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY.

LINE UP

Check in at N. Conway & 2 Mile line

Line up begins at 8:00 A.M.

10:00 A.M. Competitive entries must be ready for judging

11:00 A.M. All entries must be in place

12:00 P.M. Parade will begin promptly

Vehicles and persons not registered in parade will be restricted from entering the line-up area.

SPACING OF ENTRIES

All parade entries will be properly spaced by the parade officials at the starting point on FM 495 (W. Griffin Pkwy) and Conway Ave. A distance of 30 feet must be maintained between each entry throughout the parade. Official spotters will assist you with this along the parade route.

REQUIREMENTS

• Float - is a framed or platformed vehicle not less than 8’ x 10’ in size and limited to 13’ in height, and is completely decorated, including the sides and ends and any object on it. The wheels of the vehicle are completely concealed and the driver must have a clear field of vision. The exhaust tail pipe must extend to the side or rear, well beyond the float apron. Every precaution and necessary safety device shall be included in each float to ensure safety of the float personnel and the public.

• ALL ENTRIES ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A MINIMUM OF 1/4 OF CITRUS AS DECORATION OR DISPLAYED ON FLOAT. If your entry is competing, please see the “Judging Criteria and Awards” page as this is subject to change due to criteria requirements.

• The float is NOT to exceed 40 ft. in length.

• Portable 5 lb. working fire extinguisher is required by Fire Marshal on all entries and must be properly tagged and dated. If newly purchased, tape the receipt to verify it is current and in working order.

• Self-propelled floats must have an escape hatch.

• No hydraulic floats will be allowed.

• Height of float cannot exceed 13 feet measured from pavement.

• Towing Vehicle - 1/3 of vehicle MUST be decorated to match the theme of the float.

THROWING AND DISTRIBUTION OF ARTICLES

• Absolutely NO throwing or distribution of anything will be allowed. This includes candies, fruits, flowers, leaflets, and brochures of any kind. Failure to follow this rule will disqualify your entry and you will be asked to leave the parade line. If you are asked to leave, you WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN OUR FUTURE EVENTS!

 SIGNS

• Business names must be limited to the wording: “SPONSORED BY ... “ in letters no bigger than 6” each in height. Exceptions: School bands, accompanying marching units and those waived through sponsorships.

• Religious and Political Forum: The Parade of Oranges is not a political forum. Any form of religious or/and political advertising is NOT allowed. Participants are not allowed to wear campaign T-shirts, or that state including, but not limited to “vote for”, “I am for”, “election year” or any other phrase asking for support. No political or controversial bumper stickers signs on entries.

• ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: Consumption of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs by the participants is prohibited.

JUDGING CRITERIA

• THEME: DIAMOND LEGACY FROM OUR GOLDEN ROOTS

• All competitive entries will be judged on workmanship, originality, and adherence to theme.

• Autos will be judged on workmanship, overall appearance and appeal.

• Bands will be judged on precision marching, playing and appearance.

• ALL JUDGED ENTRIES MUST BE IN LINE AND READY TO BE JUDGED BY 10:00 AM

• At the time of judging, floats must be in full working order and all participants in place.

• All judges’ decisions are final.

SCHOOL BANDS & MARCHING UNITS

• Only one gator, four-wheeler or golf cart is allowed per entry. A licensed driver is required. The vehicle must remain with its entry at all times, and properly marked. Violators will be escorted off the parade route by the Mission Police Department. You must pick up a Parade Pass for this vehicle and the vehicle must have your school’s name displayed along with the pass.

PERFORMANCE LIMITATIONS

Children less than 12 years of age will not be allowed to walk, march, perform or ride a bike. Stopping to perform on the route is strictly prohibited. The routine must be in a progressive motion. There will be no stopping or pausing along the route, including in front of the judges.

VIOLATION OF RULES: 

Violation of any rule is subject to a decision made by the parade director and may lead to the exclusion of your entry, disqualification from a competitive category or withdrawal from the parade.

PARADE ENTRY FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.

JUDGING CRITERIA & AWARDS

For competitive entries only.

FLOAT CATEGORY:

This category at least 1/2 of the float entry must be decorated with citrus product or any product grown in the Rio Grande Valley and adhere to parade theme, the rest of the float may be covered with any type of material. 1/3 of the towing vehicle must also be decorated to match theme.

JUDGING CRITERIA

ORIGINALITY: 10 POINTS

USE OF VALLEY PRODUCTS/CITRUS: 30 POINTS WORKMANSHIP: 30 POINTS

ADHERENCE TO THEME: 30 POINTS

VEHICLES CATEGORY:

Entry must adhere to parade theme, must be built by a church group and must be decorated with at least 2/3 citrus or any product grown in the Rio Grande Valley. This includes golf carts (a total of 4 golf carts will be allowed per entry).

JUDGING CRITERIA

ORIGINALITY: 10 POINTS

USE OF VALLEY PRODUCTS/CITRUS: 20 POINTS WORKMANSHIP: 30 POINTS

ADHERENCE TO THEME: 40 POINTS

MARCHING UNITS:

All marching units will be judged on the parade route as follows:

JUDGING CRITERIA

MUSIC APPROPRIATE TO THEME: 20 POINTS

OVERALL APPEARANCE: 30 POINTS

PERFORMANCE: 50 POINTS

MILITARY UNITS:

All military units will be judged on the parade route as follows:

JUDGING CRITERIA

OVERALL APPEARANCE: 20 POINTS

MILITARY DRILL (PERFORMANCE): 35 POINTS