Homecoming Parade Guidelines

Thank you for your willingness to participate in the IUP Homecoming Parade! The following guidelines will assist in providing a positive and safe experience for both parade participants and spectators.

As a parade participant and/or as the official representative of a university-recognized organization or community group sponsoring a parade unit, your understanding of and commitment to following these guidelines is fully expected. Participation in the Homecoming Parade must comply with these guidelines, the recognized mission of the Homecoming Parade, and all other applicable university policies, borough ordinances, and state laws. The driver of a motor-driven parade unit will be held responsible for ensuring that each participant riding in or on the motor vehicle abides by these guidelines, and the organization or group sponsoring the parade unit will be held responsible for ensuring that each parade participant abides by these guidelines.

1. Participation in the Homecoming Parade is subject to the review and approval of the Homecoming Parade Work Group in accordance with all applicable university policies, borough ordinances, and state laws.

2. A parade participant, whether they are operating a motor vehicle, riding in or on a parade unit, or walking/marching, may not possess, transport, consume, distribute, or be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs at any time immediately prior to or during the parade.

3. A participant riding in or on a parade unit must remain seated in a safe and secure location for the duration of the parade.

4. A participant riding in or on a parade unit must remain in or on the parade unit at all times during the parade; a participant needing to depart the parade unit must do so only after the parade unit has come to a complete stop. Following their departure, a parade participant may not return to the parade unit at any time during the parade.

5. Only a parade participant on foot may hand candy and other parade tokens directly to parade spectators. A parade participant may not hand out or throw candy or other parade tokens from a parade unit, regardless of whether the parade unit is stationary or moving. A parade participant or unit driver may not accept any items from parade spectators at any time.

6. A parade unit, whether it involves a vehicle or walking/marching participants, must continue moving forward through the parade route at all times. Standing performances are not permitted.

7. A parade participant who is harassed or intimidated in any way during the course of the parade by another parade participant or parade spectator is strongly encouraged to report the incident as soon as possible to the nearest uniformed law enforcement officer or parade marshal.

8. Only animals under the strict leash or bridle of a qualified animal handler will be permitted in the parade. The identified animal handler and their parade unit sponsor will bear any responsibility for any and all damages and injuries resulting from negligence or Acts of God incidents regarding the animal in question.

9. A parade unit must be value-neutral, secular, and noncommercial, and may not represent the specific political interests or ambitions of any political party or candidate nor the for-profit interests of any commercial enterprise. No parade unit may reflect nor bear the name or any reference to licensed alcohol products or establishments.

Failure to abide by these guidelines may result in:

1. The issuing of citations to and/or the filing of criminal charges against or the arrest of the responsible participant and/or person driving the parade unit.

2. The filing of a university judicial complaint against the responsible student participant.

3. The filing of a university judicial complaint against the university-recognized organization sponsoring the parade unit.

4. The immediate removal of the participant and/or the parade unit from the parade.

5. The disqualification of the parade participant's and/or sponsoring organization's eligibility to receive funding subsidies and/or parade prizes, including cash awards.

6. The disqualification of the parade participant's and/or sponsoring organization's or group's eligibility to participate in future Homecoming Parades.

Questions regarding the IUP Homecoming Parade Guidelines may be directed to 128 Elkin Hall, 945 Oakland Avenue, IUP, Indiana, PA 15705, 724-357-2598, esarneso@iup.edu.