DATE & TIME
Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 3:00pm

PARADE ROUTE
The route begins at the intersection of MLK Jr. Blvd. and Cherry Street. The parade continues down Cherry Street before making a right onto Second Street. The parade continues down Mulberry Street until it ends at MLK Jr. Blvd.

CONTACT
Sarah Ford 
sford@cherryblossom.com

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
The following must all be submitted by the application deadline in order to participate in the parade:
1. Completed Application
2. Registration Fee 
3. Insurance

APPLICATION DEADLINE
Friday, February 28, 2025

ACCEPTANCE & NOTIFICATION
- You will be notified of your unit's acceptance into the parade by Monday, March 3.
- It is the responsibility of the main contact listed on this application to ensure that their entire unit is made aware of all parade information.
- We highly encourage patriotic themed floats, vehicle decor, etc.
- WE WILL NOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR  DANCE TEAMS.

-All participants must be in a vehicle, float or trailer unless they are a band, ROTC or cheer team. 

REGISTRATION FEES
1. Schools and Military Units: Free
2. Macon-Bibb County Units: Free
3. Non-Commercial Units (Nonprofits, Places of Worship, Community Groups): $100
4. Commercial Units (Businesses and Corporations): $150

PARADE POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
The Cherry Blossom Festival does not endorse nor express any political affiliation. Therefore, the Festival will not permit campaigning in any official manner for participants riding or walking in the authorized parade route. Only currently elected officials will be allowed to participate, and they will be recognized for their current elected seat. Currently elected officials may not use campaign signs or merchandise. 

INSURANCE
ALL COMMERCIAL AND NON-COMMERCIAL APPLICANTS: 
MUST provide an insurance certificate stating they have Comprehensive General Liability (CGL) insurance with combined single limit of insurance of no less than $500,000, covering bodily injury, personal injury and property damage. Float units must provide commercial automobile insurance with a minimum combined single limit of no less than $500,000.

THE INSURANCE CERTIFICATE MUST CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS:
a)       Certificate Holder - Macon Georgia Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc. & address (794 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201) should be listed as the certificate holder. 
b)       Additional Named Insured - Macon Georgia Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc. & address (794 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201) is to be named as Additional Insured with respect to any liability arising from the applicant’s participation in the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on both the CGL and automobile policies. 
c)      Cancellation Clause - The insurance certificate shall state the policies certified will neither be canceled nor reduced in limits without a 30-day notice delivered by certified mail to the Cherry Blossom Festival Office, 794 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201. 
 
All INDIVIDUAL VEHICLE APPLICANTS:
MUST provide an insurance certificate stating they have minimum automobile insurance liability limits of $100,000 per person, $300,000 per occurrence, $100,000 property damage, for all vehicles.

*Applicants who do not provide a certificate verifying the above provisions will not be permitted to participate in the parade.

VEHICLES:
Drivers of all vehicles in the parade and those entering the parade line-up area must have a valid driver’s license, have proper proof of insurance as required by state law, and be at least 18 years old. 

FLOAT INFORMATION
If your organization is interested in having a float made for the parade, please contact local float builder, Kip Dingler, at 478-256-8944 or by email at kipdingler@bellsouth.net.

We highly encourage patriotic themed floats.