Participants Guidelines

• All participants (floats, walkers, bands, etc.) must incorporate the parade theme in their music, float design and/or costumes.
• Entries must be entertaining to a family audience, primarily of children.
• No Santa Claus replica may be part of any entry other than the Official Santa Claus Parade Float.
• Participants in the parade shall not be consuming or giving the impression of consuming alcoholic beverages, and shall refrain from smoking during their participation in the parade..
• All participants must complete the Media Information Outline included in the Parade Entry Form for their group/entry.
• And entry may be refused up to the start of the Parade should the entry not meet Parade guidelines or differ from its approved entry form.

Walking Group Guidelines

• Walking groups should wear costumes that reflect the parade theme.
• Please ensure that you keep you with your group.  Smaller children should be encouraged to ride on a float instead of walking. 
• Walking groups shall not have a van or other vehicle following its walkers.
• Please note the maximum number of walkers allowed per entry is 30.  Minimum age for walkers is 10 years.

Float Requirements

• All floats must incorporate the Parade theme.  The float design must be chosen and submitted to the Parade Committee c/o the Department of Recreation and Culture.
• Automobiles are not acceptable as a float entry.
• No entry shall exceed 14 feet in height.
• Signage shall be restricted to a total of 2 signs per float.  Each sign must not exceed 2 x 8 feet and must be attached to the vehicle.  The sign should state the name of the group and theme so as to be easily identified by the media.  Any acknowledgments should be in smaller lettering below the group name. 
• Music is strongly encouraged.  Please play Christmas music only.  Your pieces should reflect the Parade theme.
• Floats with generators or other possible fire hazards must provide suitable fire extinguishing equipment on the float
• Handouts and give-aways are strongly discouraged.  No entry will distribute literature, pamphlets, leaflets, brochures, flyers, or any other written or printed advertising to spectators.  Candy can be distributed from the street level only, NOT thrown from the floats.
• Participants must ride on the inside of the float.  No one is to sit on the edge of the float trailers with their feet dangling over the side.  It is strongly recommended that children be securely seated and supervised on the floats.
• There will be no premature exiting of the Parade route.

School Challenge

All Oakville schools are challenged to join the parade in creating their own school float.  The winning school will receive an award that can be displayed in their awards case for the year, along with a group photo plaque to last for years to come.  School band are also welcomed to participate in the parade.  Need tips on how to put a winning float together? [more]

Judging Criteria

The judging stations will be situated along the parade route.  The first will be located in the downtown square (by the clock) and the other will be on Kerr Street by Heritage Square.  Entries will be judged according to the criteria below.  Judging is based on four categories.  Each category is rated out of 5 for an overall score of 20.

• Effort - Adherence to the rules, theme, organization and planning
• Theme - Adherence to the chosen theme, effective presentation of theme
• Appearance and Originality - Style, presentation, overall appearance, audience response and originality
• Participation - From children on float, from the audience, community spirit, enthusiasm from members of the group

Grand Prize Winner - Best Overall Float

A monetary prize of $500 will be awarded to the Best Overall Float. This award will be determined by the best score overall. The Judges will decide tie breakers. All decisions will be final. Charitable groups will be allowed to keep the prize money however; non-charitable groups must donate their prize money to the charity of their choice.

Pictures of the winning entries in each category will be advertised in the Oakville newspapers and on the Oakville Santa Claus Parade website following the parade.  Additional winning categories: 

• Best Commercial Float
• Best Community Float
• Best School Float
• Best Walking Group