CENTERBURG – The USA Days Parade requires any units wanting to be judged (for ribbons and cash prizes) must be on site by 8:30 a.m. and no later than 9:15 a.m. Anyone arriving after 9:15 a.m. will not be judged. Note that the parade now begins at 10 a.m.
This year, festival organizers to take steps to ensure safety for both parade participants and those watching the parade. If changes were not made, the parade route would be changed and shortened. When this information first hit social media, the overwhelming response was that the public does not want the route changed.
First of all, participants will not allowed to throw candy from their vehicles. However, if there are walkers on each side, they can drop candy into the laps of the children curbside. The walkers should stay next to the curb. They may pull a wagon or cart with their extra candy, etc. If the walkers slow down, participants cannot stop the vehicles to wait for them; vehicles must continue to move in order to decrease the large lapses in the parade. All parade vehicles are expected to stay within 20 feet of each other.
Parade participants must also sign a form stating they will abide by these rules and not throw candy from vehicles, and also to verify that they have valid insurance. In the Farm Festival Parade only, the many tractors who take part must also have a tow chain with them in case of a breakdown to get them out of the parade route as quickly as possible.
Any children walking or on bikes, scooters, etc., must be accompanied by an adult. If they lag or grow tired, the adult must boost them along or remove them from the parade if they cannot continue. Organizers will strive to have walkers in the front end of the parade.
Only selected vehicles/units may enter the park at the end of the parade. They will be given a tag or a colored tape to place on the vehicle. An official will be at the park gate to enforce this. Those allowed to enter include the CHS marching band, Grand Marshal float, Little Miss Liberty/Little Uncle Sammy cart, and in the farming festival, the tractors that will be going on display and the calliope. Others may be designated as decided by the committees. All other traffic may exit the parade route by continuing on state Route 3 toward Mount Vernon or they can also turn and continue on state Route 314. By using Updike Road into Rich Hill and turning left, they can continue onto Dill Road to state Route 3, and if needed return to the staging area or make their way home.
Also, both parades will have every side street blocked to traffic. No vehicle should try to go around or move a barricade to enter the parade route. There will be vest-identifiable officials at each and every side street to police each one so that this does not occur. Anyone attempting to violate this rule will be subject to charges by law enforcement. Organizers said this will be strictly enforced. Also, they need volunteers to help man each of these intersections. Contact them to volunteer to man an intersection while you watch the parade, You can also sign up on the Heart of Ohio USA Days Facebook page.
Those who enjoy watching the parade, whether uptown or on lawns, should police their area and pick up any trash they may have. Do not leave it for homeowners or festival staff to clean up.
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