Parade General Guidelines

• Parade date is Friday, December 4, 2026.
• Rain date is Friday, December 11, 2026.

• Parade date is Friday, December 4, 2026.
• Rain date is Friday, December 11, 2026.

Parade Application Fee Schedule

• Bands/Veterans/Scouts Entry — $0
• Performance Group — $40
• Beauty Queen Entry — $45
• Individual or Business/Commercial Entry — $60
• Car Clubs/Truck Clubs — $70 for first 8 cars; add $10 per car over 8 cars
• Politician/Political Candidate — $55

Fee must be paid at the time of application and is non-refundable. If an entry is not approved, a full refund will be issued.

• Parade entry applications must be submitted by Monday, November 23, 2026.
• Entries must observe all applicable parade rules and regulations and follow all instructions from police and parade officials.
• All applications will be evaluated to ensure compliance with parade guidelines, rules, and regulations. The City of Pickens and the Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce reserve the right to reject any application that does not comply with parade guidelines, rules, and regulations, or for any other reason deemed not to be within the spirit of the Pickens Christmas Parade.
• This year’s parade theme, “An Appalachian Christmas,” celebrates the warmth, heritage, and simple joys of the Christmas season in the Blue Ridge foothills. Entries are encouraged to bring Appalachian traditions to life through decorations, costumes, lights, music, and creative scenes inspired by mountain homes, handmade gifts, evergreen wreaths, country churches, old-fashioned Christmas gatherings, and the beauty of a holiday season in the mountains. Each entry must relate to the theme.
• This is a family-friendly event. No obscene or suggestive graphics or phrases may be visible on a participant’s person or any part of a parade entry.
• In keeping with the spirit of the holidays, entries striving to make a controversial or political statement will not be allowed.
• On the day of the event, the City of Pickens and the Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce reserve the right to remove any entrant from the parade before assembly, during assembly, or at any time during the parade if the entrant fails to comply with parade rules or standards of reasonable public taste.
• Parade officials assume no liability for damage to floats or vehicles, or for injuries or damage resulting from the negligence of parade participants.
• The parade will begin promptly at 7:00 PM on Friday, December 4, 2026. In the event of inclement weather, the parade will be rescheduled for Friday, December 11, 2026.
• INCLEMENT WEATHER: The decision to change the parade date due to inclement weather will be made by the Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce no later than Wednesday, December 2, 2026. If a change is made, the Chamber will notify all parade entries via email communication. Please ensure an accurate email address is included on your parade application. In the event of a weather-related date change, no refunds of parade entry fees will be issued.

Parade Formation Guidelines

• Several days prior to the parade, participants will be contacted by email with an entry number and assigned check-in time.
• All participants are expected to arrive at their assigned check-in time between 5:00 PM and 6:15 PM, but must arrive no later than 6:15 PM.
• Upon check-in, participants must present their entry name and number. The entry number must be visible on the left side of the vehicle or float.
• Parade participants will line up in a designated area that will be communicated at a later date.
• Participants may not exit the parade early and must travel the entire parade route.
• The Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce has final authority over the positioning and order of parade entries, as well as the pace and movement of the parade in progress.
• The judging stand is located in front of the Pickens County Courthouse.

Parade Procession Requirements

• All entries must provide a neat, easily recognizable sign or banner identifying their organization. It should be placed on the left front side of the entry and be modest in size compared with the entry.
• Because this is an evening parade, all entries must be illuminated in some manner.
• Bands and music ensembles are expected to play holiday music. Christmas music is strongly encouraged for other entries, although not required. Please indicate musical plans on the application.
• Marching and walking units should be in uniform. Flags or banners are encouraged for group identification.
• Adult chaperones must accompany children participating in the parade at all times—during check-in, set-up, assembly, the parade procession, and dismissal. A ratio of one adult for every 10 children is recommended.
• Participants are responsible for maintaining safety around their parade vehicle or float.
• For spectator safety, candy may not be thrown from vehicles, floats, or trailers. Walking parade participants may distribute candy directly to spectators.
• No literature or other materials may be handed out along the parade route.
• Santa Claus is Pickens’ featured guest. No participant may enter the parade dressed as Santa or use any representation of Santa on a vehicle, float, or trailer. Santa hats are allowed.

Parade Safety Requirements

• Only forward movement by motorized vehicles is permitted.
• Participants must maintain an appropriate distance of at least two car lengths between entries and must close gaps when directed by parade officials.
• Candles and open flames are strictly prohibited.
• Required illumination for all entries helps ensure safety during the evening parade.
• Participants must provide appropriate fire-extinguishing equipment for floats with generators or other potential fire hazards.
• All participants must provide proper liability insurance for their parade entry and all individuals participating in it.
• All motorized vehicles must have proper liability and vehicle insurance coverage.
• All drivers of motorized vehicles must have a valid driver’s license.
• All participants must submit a signed Parade Application acknowledging the requirements for liability insurance, vehicle insurance coverage, and a valid driver’s license.