Parade Float

Date: Saturday, April 15th, 2023

Time: 10:00 A.M.

Theme: Stone County, AR Sesquicentennial/ Celebrate 150 years!

Prizes: First: $800 Second: $600 Third: $400 People’s Choice: $200 (Prizes are subject to change)

Who: Schools, Businesses, Churches, Youth and Adult Organizations.

A major part of the Arkansas Folk Festival each year is the Folk Festival Parade held Saturday morning at 10 A.M. For many years, the parade was so popular that it was a two-day affair- the school parade was one day, and the town parade was the following day.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of Stone County, AR. Stone County was formed in 1873 from Izard, Independence, Searcy, and Van Buren counties and we want to celebrate 150 Years of Making.  From industrious mountain men to musicians, from moonshiners to metalsmiths, Mountain View is known for it's artisan makers.  Celebrate the sesquicentennial by playing off this themes of makers, traditional skills, and our heritage. 

The Festival Committee would love to see your float decorated in celebration of Stone County – 150 years!

So, get your group together and build a float, create a walking float, organize a marching band- whatever it takes to become part of the tradition of the Folk Festival parade.

Following are the “parade rules and regulations” for this year’s parade. If you have questions, please contact Michelle
Armstrong, 870-269-8068
• Float themes must be submitted to the Chamber Office no later than Friday, April 7, 2023, for approval and to
qualify for the prizes. Themes will be approved on a first-come basis. This will also be your registration. • Floats
must be lowboys, trailers, or wagons. Floats may be pulled by farm tractor, horses, oxen, pickup truck, or
semi-truck. No stand-alone semi-trucks allowed.
• A typed narrative of no more than a half page large type words must be submitted to the Chamber Office no
later than Friday, April 7, 2023. The float narratives will be read by the judges prior to the parade and is part of
the judging process.
• The float theme or title must appear on the sides of the float. The names of the sponsoring
business/organizations may be displayed on the rear or the front of the float.
• An entry number will be assigned, you will be notified through email. This will be your spot in the parade. • The
starting lineup will be at the School Ave Church of Christ. All floats must be at the parking lot on School Avenue,
at the Church of Christ no later than 8:30 A.M. the day of the parade. Judging will be done from the reviewing
stand in front of the Courthouse. You get ONE MINUTE in front of the judges.
• The last performance spot will be in front of City Hall.
• Parade winners will be posted on the Chamber Office Window and released to KWOZ and KFFB for broadcast.
Prize money may be picked up at the Chamber Office on or after Wednesday, April 20th, 2023. • All children’s
floats or walking must be accompanied by adults.
• No political advertising, political opinions, or ties may be broadcasted in the parade. Especially no re-elect or
campaigning advertising. “No political cards, brochures, etc. be handed out during the parade by people
participating in the parade.
• Any individual “just driving” in the parade must be in an antique car. No exceptions.
• Walking floats will be accepted.
• Floats that perform MUST stop at all performances locations. (Yelcot, Court House, City Hall)
Parade Etiquette
- No honking horns at other cars
- No honking horns within 3 blocks of the courthouse square
- Do not stop to talk during parade route. Only stops should be performances.
- If you are lagging, please pull over and let the other floats pass you.
- Throwing candy, t-shirts, hats or any other items from a float or vehicle is NOT allowed. You can have someone
walk along your float and throw it or pass it as far as you can into the crowd. We are very concerned with the
safety of our parade. Following this guideline lessens the danger of a child darting out in front of or running
under a float or vehicle and being hurt in a needless accident.
- These rules are subject to change.
The Mountain View Area Chamber of Commerce is not liable for any damage to any vehicles or persons during the
Arkansas Folk Festival Parade.
Political/Dignitary Parade Pledge
To uphold the traditions of our parade, we ask that you and your campaign members refrain from campaign
activities from the parade route during the parade. It is our traditions to have current local, State, & Federal office
holders (Dignitaries) ride in our parade with signs on the vehicle that state your name and current office/position you
hold. We ask that you refrain from using words like re-elect or other campaign rhetoric on your sign. If you or your
campaign members would like to set up a booth or table during the Folk Festival, please contact our City Hall, Dept, of
Planning and Zoning at 870-269-3686
I pledge that I will not display or hand out any political material from the parade route during the parade.