9/14/2024
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM CST



Registration ends on 8/2/2024

Morton Pumpkin Festival Parade 2024          
Pumpkins Run for the Roses
Saturday, September 14   10:30 am                        
JOIN US FOR ONE OF THE LARGEST FESTIVAL PARADES IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS  AND HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR 58 YEARS!

THE MORTON PUMPKIN FESTIVAL PARADE IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION AND SHOW YOUR MORTON PRIDE!      $200 BEST NON-COMMERCIAL FLOAT

MORTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEMBERS........ $25.00*    
NON-MEMBER, NON-PROFITS & CLUBS...................... $35.00*
NON-MEMBERS, ALL OTHERS....................................... $50.00*
SCHOOL MARCHING BANDS.......................................... FREE
MILITARY AND VETERAN GROUPS................................ FREE
PUMPKIN FESTIVAL EVENT ENTRIES ...........................FREE
*IF YOUR BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION HAS MULTIPLE ENTRIES, PAY ONE FEE FOR ALL ENTRIES.   
*MORTON PUBLIC & PRIVATE SCHOOL ENTRIES WILL REGISTER AS MORTON CHAMBER MEMBERS*


 Applications will close once we have reached 90 entries
Applications that come in after 90 entries will be added to our waitlist
No entries will be considered after August 2nd
 

Parade entries must be decorated to the 2024 Festival theme- "Pumpkins Run for the Roses"
No weapons or items resembling a weapon. If you are in doubt about whether something is a weapon or resembles a weapon, please do not bring it to the parade. If you bring such items, you will be kindly asked to put the items away during the parade.

Float entries must be on a hayrack or flatbed trailer. Maximum height of floats is 13 feet, 9 inches in order to clear electrical lines.

All walkers must be 8 years old or older. Younger children can safely ride on floats or be pushed/pulled in strollers or wagons accompanied by an adult. For safety, please make sure walkers stay a safe distance from vehicles and floats at all times. 

Entries must keep their unit moving along the parade route and must keep a distance of no more than 30 feet between their unit and the entry in front of them.

No literature may be distributed.
No Confetti or streamers may be thrown.

Candy or toys may be distributed as follows:

• No candy or toys can be thrown from a float, car, truck or tractor.
• Candy or toys may be thrown into the crowd by people walking alongside an entry.
• Walkers must be a minimum of 5' away from an entry when throwing candy or toys.
• Entries should not stop along the route for candy/toy throwers to refill their containers. 

Antique and custom vehicles may enter individually or as part of a group with a limit of 5 vehicles for any one group. Antique tractors pulling a float will be counted as part of the float entry.

Marching/walking units are limited to:

• Morton Boy Scout or Girl Scout Club
• Marching Band
• Flag or Rifle Corp
• Military/Veteran's organization
• Politicians, as noted by rules regarding political entries
• Mascots and kid-friendly characters 

Semi units are not permitted in the parade.

Animal units are required to have their own cleanup systems and/or crew. For the safety of all involved no horses are allowed in the Pumpkin Festival Parade. 

Commercial Vehicles may enter the parade if they are:

• Pulling a float decorated to festival theme.
• Being used by a non-profit Morton organization and are decorated to festival theme.
• Being used by approved dignitary.

Area politicians may enter as a separate unit or may ride on the float/entry for their party. This includes State Senators, State Representatives, Judges, Regional/County offices, and local offices. 

No inflammatory, negative, or profane language, messaging or music.

No scary costumes or haunted house related entries.

No flips, back-hand-springs, or acrobatics of any kind.

No provocative clothing, displays, signage, or music. 

Do not leave any personal items in Lincoln School's bathrooms at the beginning of the parade route. The schools will be locked up as soon as the parade finishes stepping off. 

Parade officials reserve the right to restrict, limit, or reject (at any time including during the parade) any entry that in the sole determination of parade officials is inflammatory, controversial, and/or upsetting, or does not abide by the rules and regulations.

Parade officials will welcome and visit with parade entries and their Parade Unit On-Site Contacts during the staging of the parade in order to promote compliance with these rules and regulations. We please ask for your cooperation in making the parade enjoyable for all concerned.