Bowling Green "Christmas in Toyland” Holiday Parade

Key Dates

• Entry Deadline: Thursday, December 5, 2025

• Where to Send: Email completed entry to events [at] townofbowlinggreenva.gov (Attn: Lisa Stevens)

How to Enter

Send an email with your completed entry information to events [at] townofbowlinggreenva.gov. Please include:

• Organization/Business Name

• Contact Person & Phone

• Email

• Type of Entry (choose one): Float; Marching Unit/Band/Drill; Emergency Unit (Dept. & Type); Motorized (Year/Make/Model); Walking Group; Animal Entry (type of animal)

• Description of Entry (brief overview for staging & safety)

• Announcer Narrative (a short script our emcee can read as you pass the judges’ stand)

Parade numbers will be provided just before the parade begins and must be displayed clearly on the driver’s side of the entry.

Award Categories

Trophies for 1st–3rd Place in:

• Marching/Walking Units

• Emergency Vehicles

• Motorized Vehicles

• Animal Groups

• Commercial Floats

• Non-Commercial Floats

• Mayor’s Choice

Winners will be announced at Town Hall after the parade.

Participant Guidelines (Please Read Carefully)

• No Santas on floats! Only one (1) Santa will be allowed in the parade; he will ride at the end
• Commercial vehicle entries are limited to two (2) per company. Horns are not permitted.
• Please maintain an appropriate distance between your unit and the next.
• Stop in front of the judge’s stand for no more than one (1) minute.
• Parade numbers will be given out right before the start of the parade and must be clearly visible on the driver’s side of the entry.
• Sirens and horns are prohibited while lining up, waiting, or during the parade route.
• Walkers must not walk back through the parade route, but may use any of the side streets.
• Once lined up, motorized vehicles must remain parked and turned off until instructions to move.
• Candy may not be thrown from floats or vehicles but may be given to the crowd by hand.
• Each unit is responsible for cleaning up their staging area, as well as along the parade route.
• All animals must be equipped with a manure catcher bag unless on a float.
• If at any time leading up the parade day, the weather or street conditions are determined to be unsafe, the parade will be rescheduled to Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 at 5:30pm. If road conditions are still deemed unsafe for the rain date, the parade will be canceled. Information will be available on the Town of Bowling Green’s Facebook page and the town website.
• The Town of Bowling Green reserves the right to reject any parade entry deemed inappropriate or unsafe. 

Day-Of Checklist

• Arrive early to your staging area and follow staff directions.

• Attach your parade number on the driver’s side.

• Review your announcer narrative for a smooth read-through.

• Confirm your drivers/walkers understand spacing, stopping time, and safety rules.

• Bring trash bags and supplies for clean-up.

Contact

Questions? Email events [at] townofbowlinggreenva.gov (Attn: Lisa Stevens)