What day is the parade being held?
The parade will be held on July 4th 2013 - Thursday. It is always held on July 4th unless it falls on a Sunday.
What time will the parade start and how long will it last?
The parade will start at 9:00 a m. and should be over by not later than 11:30 a m. Parade entries must be in the lineup
area much earlier. All entries will need to have a contact at the June General Meeting to pick up lineup area passes and
receive final instructions on lineup area operations.
What happens if it rains?
In the event of rain, the parade will be delayed on an hour by hour basis with the objective of completing it in on July 3. In all the years
the parade has been held it has been delayed once, but never canceled. It has rained briefly after the parade was underway a number of times
but the parade was not interrupted.
What is the route of the parade?
The parade route can be located here.
How long is the parade route?
The overall length of the parade route is approximately 2.5 miles. See the parade map.
How early do I need to get there to get a good spot to view the parade?
Most of the best spots (under shade and near reviewing stands) will be occupied by 7 a.m., but many very good locations can still be found
till around 8 a.m. After 8 a.m., it gets increasingly difficult to find good locations with nearby parking. If you're willing to do some walking,
you can always find a suitable place to view the parade even after it is underway. The route is more than 2 miles long so you may want to
do some reconnaissance before parade day.
Who puts the parade on?
The parade is put on by the Arlington 4th of July Association, a nonprofit corporation which has as a primary activity the planning and conduct of the annual parade. Financial support for the parade is provided by local sponsors who contribute the funds required to finance the work of the Association. The Association does not engage in any other fund raising activities to support the parade.
Where do I park to watch the parade?
You will want to review the parade route, and if possible, scout out your location. Then you want to park outside the route on side streets or public lots, not on private business or residence areas. The police do tow vehicles illegally parked.
Is the parade going to be on TV?
This year the Arlington Independent School District is producing the parade. It will be shown on Time Warner Channel 98, and will also be
available by webcast through a link on this site. See also AISD-TV’s website
How Do I Get Involved?
The parade association is always interested in community involvement. Please fill out our form and we will be in contact.
Are there going to be fireworks at the parade?
No fireworks for the parade. But the Rangers and many other venues have fireworks. Check your local directory for events.
Can I bring my dog to the parade?
Dogs are allowed as long as they are on a leash. Please take proper care to have plenty of water, and, of course, you are responsible for
clean up. All that is asked is that you have consideration for the other spectators. There will be a crowd with quite a bit of hustle and bustle.
Where can I get application forms?
Application Forms are available from this web site and will also be available at all General Meetings. Applications ONLY available at the General Meetings held at the library before the deadlines. Any paperwork / packets / forms pertaining to participant entry ARE NOT available at the library. It will be given out ONLY at our General Meetings.
What is the deadline for submitting my application?
Official application form must be received by MAY 1, 2013. Any applications submitted after the due date will be subject to a late fee of $25.00. Any application submitted after JUNE 1, 2013 WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Submit the Information For Announcers' Scripts by June 15, 2013.
Will I be permitted to FAX or mail my application and supplemental information to the Association?
The Association does not have the capability to receive applications by FAX. You will either need to deliver your
application at the regular General Meeting, the night of the deadline OR submit the signed original by mail postmarked not later than the
next business day.
Are there published rules for parade entries?
Yes, copies of the rules are on this web site. Printed copies will be available at all General Meetings. It is very important that all entries understand and comply with all rules. Failure to comply with the rules can result in disqualification and/or removal from the parade.
Can I still get in the parade this year if I missed the deadline?
Sorry, but No; if you did not meet all deadlines you are not eligible to participate in the parade. Organizing the 150 entries that did meet the deadline is hard enough.
When and where are the meetings held?
General meetings will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Briefing Room, 3rd floor City Hall, generally on the 3rd Thursday of the month. See the Meeting Calendar.
What is the Parade Fair?
The Parade Fair is a forum where you can talk to the Board and experts about any aspect of the parade. There are various stations set up for theme ideas, float construction, judging criteria, etc. If you are a first time participant then you should attend.
Is there someone who can help me with my parade entry / problem?
The Association will have a Parade Fair at the April 18th meeting. Experienced advisors will be available to help you with your problems and to present "how- to" sessions to assist you. Feel free to contact us anytime with your questions.
Is there someone in the area who builds floats?
Yes. We will maintain a list of resources that will be available at the general meetings.
Where will my entry be in the parade?
The lineup will be available at the June General Meeting. Your location in the parade will be determined by a number of factors that cannot be assessed until all eligible entries are known. Position is based on a number of factors, including when your application is received; so get it in early.
I am a participant in the parade. Can I park my car in the parade lineup area?
You cannot park your car in the parade lineup area. There is remote parking at the UTA stadium parking lot at Davis and Mitchell. A shuttle bus will run between the lineup area and the stadium before and after the parade. There is also limited parking in the UTA student parking lot south of the lineup area.
Where can I drop people who will be participating in the parade?
You cannot enter the parking lot where the parade lineup is being formed. You can drop participants off at the UTA stadium for the shuttle or in the parking lot south of the lineup area. Please read about the Drop-off Areas. Watch for directional signs on parade day for help. Please follow the directions given by those directing traffic. They are only trying to help.
When will the AISD bus barns be available for float construction?
It should be available the week before the parade. We will announce the exact dates and times at the May General Meeting. Also refer to the Bus Barn Schedule.
I have questions regarding my application, who do I contact?
You can send an email to applications@arlington4th.org or call our voicemail (817) 330-9USA.
Can my dog walk in the parade with my entry?
Pets are permitted in the parade. However, extreme caution and consideration has to be made for the well being of the pets and the surrounding participants. Please consider that it will be extremely hot, so plenty of water is needed. Also consider the heat of the pavement on the staging area and the two miles of parade route. We have found that the disposition of pets changes as they get hot and impatient. Also, the pet owner will be solely responsible for cleaning up after their pet so there is no impact to other participants or spectators.
What does my donation go towards?
All year long, the officers and board members volunteer to organize and prepare for the parade. However, there are many overhead costs associated with the parade; ie insurance premiums, equipment rentals, portable toilet rental, supplies, printing and postage, and miscellaneous expenses.
Without the help of the community, we would not be able to put on such an event.
Who do I contact to contribute?
Contact June Owens, President president@arlington4th.org or Dee Shilling, Treasurer, treasurer@arlington4th.org with ways that you can help.
Who do I contact regarding a news story? I would like to do a story for the local news, who do I interview?
June Owens. All inquires can be directed to her at president@arlington4th.org or call (817) 330-9USA - voicemail.
