Exponent CMS

Sign In | Register

Sponsored By

Pumpkin Festival Parade

Join us on the Saturday of festival for the  Morton Pumpkin Festival Parade!  The Parade begins at 10:30 am at the corner of Nebraska and Jefferson and travels west toward the Morton Post Office.  Everyone is encouraged to wear orange to the parade.  There is already an amazing atmosphere along the parade route, and this will take it to the next level!

2013 Parade Information

Click here to register online.

Event Chairmen:
Linc Hobson linc.hobson@homeinstead.com
Co-Chair: Dana Hobson
Co-Chair: Brett Grimm brett.grimm@homeinstead.com

Parade Route: 

•  The parade will begin at Lincoln School and head west on Jefferson Street.
•  The parade will turn right onto Third Avenue to begin the “Madison Bypass”.
•  From Third, the parade will turn left on Madison Street.
•  From Madison, the parade will turn left onto First Avenue.
•  From First, the parade will turn right onto Jefferson and continue to the Morton Post Office.

For Parade Entries:  All entrants (except floats wishing to be judged and bands) report no later than 9:45 a.m.   All arriving entrants should proceed south on Nebraska.  You will be directed to your line-up position from there.

Commercial and non-commercial floats wishing to be judged should report to their line-up positions no later than 8:45 a.m. 

The announcer’s stand is located just before the intersection of Jefferson and Main Streets.  After passing the stand, you will continue west on Jefferson, until reaching the end of the parade route at Maple Street right before the Post Office.  At Maple Street all motorized parade traffic will continue straight on Jefferson Street.  All non-motorized parade traffic will turn left on Maple and then right on David Street to the parade pick-up area at Fort Transfer.  If possible, groups are encouraged to have an off-site pick-up spot.

 DO NOT THROW CANDY FROM ANY VEHICLES!!

TOSS IT OUT AT THE CURB, PLEASE.

Prizewinning floats are asked to park next to Roth Grain between Main and Plum Streets after the parade. 

Prizes:
Grand Prize Float - $500. 
First Place Non-Commercial Float - $200
First Place Commerical Float - $200

Parade Rules and Regulations

Deadline for entries is August 23.  All entries must be pre-registered and must provide a detailed description of the entry for the parade announcer. Date of entry will be taken into consideration when assigning line-up numbers.

All entries must decorate to the theme

All entries must abide by all rules and regulations. If you have special needs or concerns, please address them on a note with your application.

Candy may be distributed from parade entries. No literature may be distributed.
    -No candy can be thrown from a float, car, truck or tractor.
    -Candy 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.
    -Entries should not stop along the route for candy throwers to refill their containers.

Entries must keep their unit moving along the parade route and must keep a distance of no more than 15 feet between their unit and the entry in front of them.

Float entries must be on a hayrack or flatbed trailer and must be decorated to festival theme. The 2013 theme is Pumpkin Carnivàle.

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.

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

Semi units are not permitted in the parade.

Animal units are required to have their own clean up crew.

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 entry for their party. This includes State Senators, State Representatives, Judges, Regional/County offices, and local offices.

Parade officials reserve the right to restrict, limit or reject any entry that is considered to be inappropriate for a family-oriented festival, or does not abide by the above rules and regulations.

PARADE ROUTE