Cumberland County Veterans Parade Guidelines & Rules
To provide a safe and enjoyable event for all participants and the community, the following Guidelines and Rules are mandatory for everyone participating in this year’s Cumberland County Veterans Parade. Additional parade information will be sent via email after your parade application is approved.
Strict adherence to these rules is required. Failure to comply may result in removal from the parade and/or disqualification from future parades.
1. Right to Deny Participation
The Parade Committee reserves the right to deny or remove any entry that does not comply with these Guidelines and Rules.
2. Compliance with Directions
All participants must follow the directions of the Veterans Parade Committee and official personnel, including Committee Members, Staging Area Managers, staff, and Amateur Radio Operators (all of whom will wear safety vests).
3. Rain or Shine
The parade will take place rain or shine. There is no make-up date.
4. Entry Deadline
Completed parade entry forms must be submitted by October 31 or when the 75th entry is received, whichever comes first.
5. Theme
All entries must adhere to the parade theme: “Honoring our U.S. Military Veterans.”
6. Distribution of Rules
The official contact person for each organization or group is responsible for providing these Guidelines and Rules to all participants prior to the parade.
7. Staging Area
Line-up and staging will occur at Cumberland County High School (660 Stanley Street) and Martin Elementary School (1362 Miller Avenue).
8. Identification Sign
The lead vehicle in each unit must display a clearly visible sign on both sides showing the organization’s name and city (if not Crossville). The sign must be readable from at least 30 feet away.
9. Assigned Positions
All participants and groups must remain in their assigned positions throughout the parade.
10. Spacing and Pace
Participants must follow the unit ahead of them promptly while maintaining approximately one vehicle length between units.
11. No Throwing Items
Throwing candy, treats, or any other items from floats or vehicles is strictly prohibited. This creates a serious safety hazard. Group representatives may walk alongside the entry and hand out items safely.
Violation will result in a $100 fine and may lead to disqualification from future parades.
12. Float and Vehicle Decorations
All floats and vehicle units must be decorated in a manner that honors U.S. military veterans, including active duty service members, National Guard, and Reservists. Decorations should support the parade theme: “Honoring our U.S. Military Veterans.”
13. Minimum Decoration
Every vehicle unit must include at least some decoration (for example, a U.S. flag).
14. Permitted Flags
Only United States flags, official U.S. military branch flags, and official flags of recognized U.S. veterans service organizations are permitted. Flags of any other nation, historical army, or political movement are prohibited. Company, business, or organizational flags are allowed.
15. Music
All music played during the parade must be military or patriotic in nature and must not interfere with other groups or marching bands.
16. Alcohol
No participant may consume or possess alcohol prior to or during the parade.
17. Tobacco and Vaping
Smoking, vaping, or any use of tobacco products — including e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco — is strictly prohibited during the entire parade, on all school property (including staging and line-up areas), and at the official end/disbanding location of the parade.
This prohibition is required by Tennessee law on school grounds and will be strictly enforced.
18. No Political Entries
Political units or entries with a political purpose are not permitted.
19. Safety on Floats
Riders on floats must remain seated or in place while the float is moving. Children on floats must be seated and supervised by an adult at all times.
20. Exiting the Float
No one may exit a float or vehicle until it has come to a complete stop.
21. Motorized Vehicles
All motorized vehicles must be self-propelled. Towing of any parade entries is prohibited.
22. Float Dimensions
Floats must not exceed 13 feet 6 inches in height or 8 feet in width.
23. Animals
Entries with animals are fully responsible for cleaning up after them along the parade route.
24. Pyrotechnics and Firearms
No pyrotechnics, fireworks, or firing of any firearms (including blanks) are permitted.
25. Emergency Vehicles
All units must immediately yield to emergency vehicles.
26. Parade Route
All units must follow the official published parade route and may not disperse or leave the route until reaching the designated end point, except in a genuine emergency.
27. Child Pick-Up
Parents or guardians are responsible for picking up children at the designated end point of the parade route or at the staging area if the unit returns there after the parade. All participating groups must ensure that parents and guardians are aware of the exact pick-up location for their child.
28. Insurance and Liability
All motorized vehicles in the parade must have valid automobile liability insurance. Drivers must carry proof of insurance and a valid driver’s license and be prepared to show them if requested. By submitting a parade application, all participants and organizations agree to the indemnity and hold-harmless provisions required by the City of Crossville and Cumberland County (full details are included in the official entry application).
29. Drivers
All vehicle drivers must be at least 18 years old and possess a valid driver’s license. Drivers must remain with their vehicle during staging and the parade and obey all instructions from parade officials.
30. Conduct and Attire
All participants must behave in a respectful manner appropriate for an event honoring U.S. military veterans. Profane language, disruptive behavior, or inappropriate attire is prohibited.
Cumberland County Veterans Parade Indemnity and Hold Harmless Agreement
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, the undersigned Organization or Individual (“Participant”) agrees to the following:
- Participant agrees to fully abide by and comply with all provisions of the Cumberland County Veterans Parade Guidelines & Rules as published by the Parade Committee.
- Participant agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the following Released Parties from any and all claims, lawsuits, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including attorney’s fees and defense costs) arising out of or in any way connected with the Participant’s participation in the Cumberland County Veterans Parade, including staging, traveling the parade route, and disbanding:
- The City of Crossville, Cumberland County, and the State of Tennessee, and their respective elected and appointed officials, employees, agents, and volunteers;
- The Cumberland County Veterans Parade Committee, its members, officers, staff, workers, and volunteers;
- Amateur Radio Operators assisting with the parade;
- The owners and operators of the staging locations (Cumberland County High School and Martin Elementary School) and their officials, employees, and volunteers;
- The owner and operator of the official parade end location (the designated disbanding site) and its officials, employees, and volunteers;
- All public roads, streets, and rights-of-way used for the parade.
This indemnity applies to any bodily injury, illness, death, or property damage that arises from any act or omission by the Participant or anyone acting on the Participant’s behalf in connection with the parade.
Participant shall, at its own expense, defend any claim or suit brought against any Released Party and shall pay any judgments, settlements, costs, and attorney’s fees incurred.
By signing below, the Participant acknowledges that they have read, understand, and voluntarily agree to both this Indemnity and Hold Harmless Agreement and the Cumberland County Veterans Parade Guidelines & Rules.
