2026 Greeley Stampede Independence Day Parade
Rules & Regulations
The Greeley Stampede Independence Day Parade is a family-friendly community celebration honoring America's independence, patriotism, Western heritage, and the traditions that bring our community together.
Participation in the parade is a privilege and is subject to compliance with all parade rules, safety requirements, and participation standards established by the Greeley Stampede.
1. Parade Theme
The 2026 parade theme is: Celebrating Colorado
Participants are encouraged to showcase Colorado's history, agriculture, landscapes, wildlife, Western heritage, innovation, communities, and pioneering spirit.
2. Entry Approval
All parade entries are subject to review and approval by the Greeley Stampede.
Approval may be based factors determined by the Greeley Stampede, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Alignment with the parade theme
- Community standards
- Family-friendly presentation
- Safety considerations
- Operational requirements
- Available parade space
- Compliance with all parade rules and policies
Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance into the parade.
3. Parade Participation Policy
Purpose
The Greeley Stampede Independence Day Parade is intended to provide a positive, family-friendly celebration for participants and spectators of all ages.
All entries, participants, vehicles, floats, performances, signage, costumes, and materials must support the celebratory nature of the event.
Prohibited Activities and Messaging
The parade is not a forum for activities or messages determined by the Greeley Stampede, in its sole and absolute discretion, to not be with the purposes stated above which includes, but is not limited to, political demonstrations, protests, advocacy campaigns, or divisive messaging.
The following are strictly prohibited:
- Protests, demonstrations, or organized acts of civil disobedience.
- Messaging, signage, displays, apparel, or conduct intended to disparage, attack, criticize, ridicule, or oppose any individual, group, organization, business, religion, government entity, or political viewpoint.
- Inflammatory, disruptive, offensive, threatening, discriminatory, or obscene content.
- Messaging that may reasonably be interpreted as promoting hostility, division, confrontation, or intimidation.
- Distribution of materials that conflict with the purpose of the parade or violate these rules.
4. Family-Friendly Standards
All entries must be suitable for viewing by children and families.
The following are prohibited:
- Profanity
- Obscene gestures
- Sexually explicit content
- Graphic imagery
- Harassing behavior
- Illegal substances
- Open alcohol containers
- Dangerous conduct
- Protest signage, displays, apparel, banners, or other materials
- Anti-individual, anti-group, anti-business, anti-government, anti-religious, or anti-political messaging
- Messaging intended to disparage, attack, ridicule, condemn, or oppose any individual, group, organization, business, religion, government entity, or political viewpoint
- Verbal announcements, chants, amplified messages, performances, or other communications that constitute protests, demonstrations, advocacy campaigns, or divisive messaging
Participants are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and professional manner throughout the event.
All signage, messaging, announcements, displays, costumes, and conduct must support the family-friendly and celebratory purpose of the Greeley Stampede Independence Day Parade.
5. Parade Entry Dimensions
Maximum Height
Entries may not exceed 13 feet in height from the ground to the highest point of the entry.
Entries exceeding this height may not safely clear overhead utility lines and will not be permitted to participate.
Standard Entry Length
The standard maximum entry length is 80 feet.
Entries requiring additional space must submit an Additional Space Request during registration.
Extended Length Entries
Additional space requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Approval is based on:
- Available parade space
- Staging requirements
- Safety considerations
- Operational needs
- Specific requirements of the entry
Submission of a request does not guarantee approval.
Approved entries may be assessed additional fees.
The maximum allowable entry length is 160 feet.
6. Vehicle Requirements
All motorized entries must:
- Be in safe operating condition
- Carry current insurance coverage
- Be operated by a properly licensed driver
- Comply with all state and local laws
Drivers must remain attentive and maintain safe spacing at all times.
The Greeley Stampede reserves the right to inspect any vehicle prior to participation.
7. Insurance Requirements
Vehicle Entries
Motorized entries must provide:
- Current proof of insurance
- Current driver's license for each driver
Equestrian Entries
Equestrian entries must provide:
- Certificate of Liability Insurance with minimum coverage of $500,000 per occurrence
- Auto Liability Insurance with Bodily Injury and Property Damage limits of $250,000/$500,000
- Greeley Independence Stampede listed as an Additional Insured
Required insurance documents must be submitted by the published deadline.
8. Equestrian Entries
All equestrian participants must:
- Maintain control of animals at all times
- Follow instructions from parade officials
- Clean up animal waste when directed
- Comply with all insurance requirements
The Greeley Stampede may remove any equestrian entry that presents a safety concern.
9. Distribution of Items
Participants may not throw items from vehicles, floats, horses, or moving entries.
Approved items may be handed directly to spectators by walkers accompanying the entry.
The Greeley Stampede reserves the right to prohibit any distribution activity deemed unsafe or inconsistent with the parade experience.
10. Music and Sound
Music and amplified sound are permitted provided they:
- Remain appropriate for a family audience
- Do not contain profanity or explicit content
- Do not interfere with parade operations
The Greeley Stampede reserves the right to require sound levels to be reduced.
11. Announcer Scripts
Each entry must provide an announcer script.
Scripts must:
- Be between 100 and 250 characters
- Describe the entry
- Comply with parade standards
Scripts may not include:
- Comparative claims
- Promotional claims
- Price or value statements
- Offers or incentives
- Calls to action
- Personal pronouns such as "we" or "you"
The Greeley Stampede reserves the right to edit announcer scripts for compliance and length.
12. Safety Requirements
Participants must comply with all instructions from:
- Parade officials
- Public safety personnel
- Law enforcement
- Event staff
Unsafe behavior may result in immediate removal from the parade.
13. Right to Deny, Remove, or Disqualify
The Greeley Stampede reserves the sole and absolute right to approve, deny, restrict, remove, or disqualify any:
- Entry
- Participant
- Vehicle
- Float
- Organization
- Performer
- Animal
- Signage
- Display
- Activity
at any time and for any reason deemed necessary, as determined by the Greeley Stampede, in its sole discretion, to protect:
- Public safety
- Event operations
- Community standards
- The reputation of the Greeley Stampede
- The celebratory purpose of the parade
Participants may be removed at any time leading up to or during the Greeley Stampede Independence Day Parade
In the event of removal, the removed Participant agrees to voluntarily exist the parade route and refrain from returning at any time.
Participants removed or disqualified are not entitled to a refund or compensation.
14. Fees and Refunds
Entry fees are established annually and published on the registration form.
The Greeley Stampede maintains a strict:
NO REFUNDS • NO EXCHANGES POLICY
All fees are final once processed.
15. Final Authority
All decisions regarding:
- Entry approval
- Participation eligibility
- Placement
- Safety
- Messaging
- Conduct
- Rule enforcement
- Disqualification
are made solely by the Greeley Stampede.
All decisions are final.
16. Agreement
Submission of a parade application constitutes acknowledgment and agreement to comply with all Greeley Stampede Independence Day Parade rules, regulations, participation policies, safety requirements, and event guidelines.
