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10:30 AM - 12:30 PM CST
2025 Morton Pumpkin Festival Parade
9/13/202510:30 AM - 12:30 PM CST
Event Description
Morton Pumpkin Festival Parade 2025
Pumpkin Party of the Century
Saturday, September 13th, 2025 10:30 am
JOIN US FOR ONE OF THE LARGEST FESTIVAL PARADES IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR 59 YEARS!
THE MORTON PUMPKIN FESTIVAL PARADE IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION AND SHOW YOUR MORTON PRIDE!
$500 GRAND PRIZE, BEST FLOAT
$200 BEST COMMERCIAL FLOAT
$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.
NO applications will be accepted after August 30th!
Pumpkin Party of the Century
Saturday, September 13th, 2025 10:30 am
JOIN US FOR ONE OF THE LARGEST FESTIVAL PARADES IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR 59 YEARS!
THE MORTON PUMPKIN FESTIVAL PARADE IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION AND SHOW YOUR MORTON PRIDE!
$500 GRAND PRIZE, BEST FLOAT
$200 BEST 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.
NO applications will be accepted after August 30th!
Details
Parade Rules and Regulations
Theme Requirement
All parade entries must be decorated to the 2025 Festival theme: “Pumpkin Party of the Century.”
Prohibited Items
No weapons or items resembling a weapon are allowed. If you are unsure whether something qualifies, please do not bring it. Any such items must be put away during the parade.
Floats
- Must be on a hayrack or flatbed trailer.
- Maximum float height: 13 feet, 9 inches (to clear electrical lines).
Walkers
- Must be at least 8 years old. Younger children may ride on floats or in strollers/wagons with an accompanying adult.
- Walkers must remain a safe distance from vehicles/floats at all times.
Parade Flow
- Entries must keep moving along the route.
- Maintain a maximum 30-foot gap from the entry in front.
Distribution Restrictions
- No literature may be distributed.
- No confetti or streamers allowed.
- Candy/toys:
• Cannot be thrown from floats, cars, trucks, or tractors.
• May be tossed into the crowd by walkers.
• Walkers must stay at least 5 feet away from their entry while throwing.
• Do not stop along the route to refill containers.
Vehicle Entries
- Antique/custom vehicles: limited to 5 per group. Antique tractors pulling floats count as part of the float entry.
- Semi units are not permitted.
- Commercial vehicles are allowed only if:
• Pulling a float decorated to the festival theme, OR
• Being used by a non-profit Morton organization and decorated to the festival theme, OR
• Transporting approved dignitaries.
Marching/Walking Units Allowed
- Morton Boy/Girl Scout Clubs
- Marching Bands
- Flag or Rifle Corps
- Military/Veteran organizations
- Political entries (per political rules)
- Mascots and kid-friendly characters
Animals
- All animals must be leashed.
- Animal units must have their own cleanup systems/crew.
- For safety, horses are not permitted.
Political Entries
- Area politicians may enter separately or ride with their party’s float/entry.
- Includes State Senators, State Representatives, Judges, Regional/County offices, and local offices.
Behavior & Content Restrictions
No inflammatory, controversial, upsetting, or profane behavior, signage, clothing, verbiage (written or spoken), or music. Parade officials reserve the right to request that such behavior, content, or attire be removed or discontinued immediately. Refusal to comply will result in immediate dismissal from the parade.
- No scary costumes or haunted house–related entries.
- No flips, back-handsprings, or acrobatics.
- No provocative clothing, displays, signage, or music.
Logistics
- Do not leave personal items in Lincoln School bathrooms at the start of the route. The building will be locked once the parade begins.
Parade Officials’ Authority
Parade officials may restrict, limit, or reject (before or during the parade) any entry that violates these rules. Officials will check in with Parade Unit On-Site Contacts during staging to ensure compliance.
Family-Friendly Commitment
The Pumpkin Festival Parade is designed to be a fun, safe, and family-friendly event for our community. We ask that all parade entries respect this spirit by fully adhering to the policies and regulations outlined above. Your cooperation helps ensure an enjoyable experience for participants and spectators of all ages.
All parade entries must be decorated to the 2025 Festival theme: “Pumpkin Party of the Century.”
Prohibited Items
No weapons or items resembling a weapon are allowed. If you are unsure whether something qualifies, please do not bring it. Any such items must be put away during the parade.
Floats
- Must be on a hayrack or flatbed trailer.
- Maximum float height: 13 feet, 9 inches (to clear electrical lines).
Walkers
- Must be at least 8 years old. Younger children may ride on floats or in strollers/wagons with an accompanying adult.
- Walkers must remain a safe distance from vehicles/floats at all times.
Parade Flow
- Entries must keep moving along the route.
- Maintain a maximum 30-foot gap from the entry in front.
Distribution Restrictions
- No literature may be distributed.
- No confetti or streamers allowed.
- Candy/toys:
• Cannot be thrown from floats, cars, trucks, or tractors.
• May be tossed into the crowd by walkers.
• Walkers must stay at least 5 feet away from their entry while throwing.
• Do not stop along the route to refill containers.
Vehicle Entries
- Antique/custom vehicles: limited to 5 per group. Antique tractors pulling floats count as part of the float entry.
- Semi units are not permitted.
- Commercial vehicles are allowed only if:
• Pulling a float decorated to the festival theme, OR
• Being used by a non-profit Morton organization and decorated to the festival theme, OR
• Transporting approved dignitaries.
Marching/Walking Units Allowed
- Morton Boy/Girl Scout Clubs
- Marching Bands
- Flag or Rifle Corps
- Military/Veteran organizations
- Political entries (per political rules)
- Mascots and kid-friendly characters
Animals
- All animals must be leashed.
- Animal units must have their own cleanup systems/crew.
- For safety, horses are not permitted.
Political Entries
- Area politicians may enter separately or ride with their party’s float/entry.
- Includes State Senators, State Representatives, Judges, Regional/County offices, and local offices.
Behavior & Content Restrictions
No inflammatory, controversial, upsetting, or profane behavior, signage, clothing, verbiage (written or spoken), or music. Parade officials reserve the right to request that such behavior, content, or attire be removed or discontinued immediately. Refusal to comply will result in immediate dismissal from the parade.
- No scary costumes or haunted house–related entries.
- No flips, back-handsprings, or acrobatics.
- No provocative clothing, displays, signage, or music.
Logistics
- Do not leave personal items in Lincoln School bathrooms at the start of the route. The building will be locked once the parade begins.
Parade Officials’ Authority
Parade officials may restrict, limit, or reject (before or during the parade) any entry that violates these rules. Officials will check in with Parade Unit On-Site Contacts during staging to ensure compliance.
Family-Friendly Commitment
The Pumpkin Festival Parade is designed to be a fun, safe, and family-friendly event for our community. We ask that all parade entries respect this spirit by fully adhering to the policies and regulations outlined above. Your cooperation helps ensure an enjoyable experience for participants and spectators of all ages.
