Parade Rules and Information
Hempstead Commerce & Civic Association (HCCA)
Parade Rules, Safety Requirements & Participant Guidelines
The Hempstead Commerce & Civic Association (HCCA) is committed to providing safe, family-friendly, and organized community events. All parade participants, organizations, businesses, groups, drivers, riders, and volunteers must comply with the following rules and requirements.
Participation in the parade constitutes agreement to comply with all HCCA rules, safety procedures, and instructions from event officials, law enforcement, and parade volunteers.
All parade entries must be family / kid friendly. Must be respectful of other entries and parade watchers. Nothing can be thrown from your entry.
1. Registration Requirements
• All parade participants must submit a completed parade application by the published deadline.
• Applications must include accurate participant and contact information.
• Any required waivers, insurance documentation, or release forms must be completed before participation is approved.
• No unregistered entries will be permitted in the parade lineup or parade route.
• Parade officials reserve the right to deny participation to any entry that does not meet event requirements.
2. Check-In & Lineup Procedures
• All entries must check in at the designated parade staging area during the assigned check-in time.
• Entries arriving late may be denied participation.
• Participants must follow all instructions from parade officials and law enforcement personnel.
• Unauthorized vehicles, trailers, or participants may not be added after check-in approval.
3. Safety Rules
• Drivers must possess a valid driver’s license and operate vehicles safely at all times. NO TEXTING WHILE DRIVING.
• No reckless driving, speeding, sudden stops, burnouts, revving engines, or dangerous behavior will be permitted.
• Riders may not jump on or off moving vehicles or floats.
• Alcohol, illegal drugs, weapons, or disruptive behavior are strictly prohibited.
• Animals must be properly controlled at all times.
• Participants may not throw objects, candy, or items directly into crowds in a manner that creates safety risks.
• All participants must comply with applicable local, state, and federal laws.
4. Conduct Expectations
The HCCA expects all participants to conduct themselves in a respectful and cooperative manner.
The following conduct may result in immediate removal from the parade and/or denial of future participation:
• Failure to comply with parade rules or event instructions
• Harassment, intimidation, or abusive behavior toward volunteers, staff, participants, attendees, or law enforcement
• Disruptive conduct that interferes with parade operations or public safety
• Misrepresentation of event staff, rules, or procedures
• Unauthorized entry into the parade lineup or route
• Conduct determined by HCCA officials to be unsafe, threatening, disorderly, or detrimental to the event
5. Media & Public Conduct
• Participants understand that parade activities may be photographed or recorded for promotional and public purposes.
• Participants may not interfere with parade operations for the purpose of creating disruptions, confrontations, or misleading public content.
• False representation of event procedures or staff instructions may result in denial of future participation.
6. Right to Refuse or Remove Participation
The HCCA reserves the right to refuse, deny, or remove any participant, organization, float, vehicle, or individual from the parade for failure to comply with event rules, safety requirements, or conduct expectations.
Participation in HCCA events is a privilege, not a right.
7. Liability Acknowledgment
Participants acknowledge that parade participation involves inherent risks. By participating, entrants agree to release and hold harmless the Hempstead Commerce & Civic Association (HCCA), volunteers, sponsors, partnering organizations, the City of Hempstead, and law enforcement agencies from liability for injuries, damages, losses, or claims arising from participation in the event, except where prohibited by law.
8. Agreement
By submitting a parade application and participating in the event, participants acknowledge that they have read, understand, and agree to comply with all parade rules, safety requirements, and conduct expectations established by the HCCA.