PLEASE CHECK EACH BOX TO AFFIRM YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THESE RULES AND REGULATIONS All contingents must register for and attend at least one official orientation meeting prior to the parade. Orientation covers the Parade’s mission and vision, annual themes, safety protocols, and operational guidelines.
The attendee must be a representative who will be present with the contingent on parade day.
2. REGISTRATION/PARTICIPANTS
a. All contingents must submit a completed registration application before the official registration deadline.
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b. Registration must include a list of all participants’ names, addresses, emails, and phone numbers, and must identify the lead contact person(s).
c. Contingents must provide a description of their group, theme and presentation, including any featured guests. These descriptions are used for television and web coverage, so please put thought into your description and confirm its accuracy.
d. Any public figure or celebrity participating must be listed in the application. Any significant changes must be reported promptly to parade organizers. Celebrities requiring additional security accommodations must be disclosed in advance and approved by parade organizers. The parade does not guarantee these accommodations.
e. Any impersonators or individuals portraying public figures must be clearly identified as such. “Stunt” or “prank” impersonators will be removed.
Every participant must wear an official parade wristband to access the parade route.
a. Each contingent receives up to 50 wristbands at no cost with initial registration.
b. Additional wristbands purchased during registration cost $5.00 each. Additional wristbands are limited to 50, for a total participant number of 100, max. Additional spots must be approved by parade organizers.
d. Wristband requests made during parade week may be denied.
e. Please provide an accurate participant count to avoid last-minute requests, which complicate parade logistics.
No person may access the parade route, stage, grandstand, or official viewing areas without proper credentials (passes, wristbands, volunteer shirts, etc.).
Anyone selling or misusing credentials will be removed immediately. Contingents responsible for credential misuse may face sanctions.
Each contingent must designate at least one individual to serve as the Contingent Lead. This person will receive an official lanyard and badge in the parade packet, which must be worn and clearly displayed at all times during event participation, including in the staging area and along the parade route.
The Contingent Lead is required to remain with the group throughout the event and will serve as the primary point of contact for parade organizers to communicate instructions and important information to the contingent.
All participants must promote and celebrate Puerto Rican heritage, culture, and pride. Contingents are encouraged to incorporate the annual parade theme into their presentation.
Groups that make no effort to reflect or respect Puerto Rican culture may be sanctioned.
All participants must display positive behavior and imagery that uplift Puerto Rican cultural, social, and community values, in keeping with a family friendly, public event.
The Puerto Rican flag is a principal symbol of our nationality and culture and must be displayed with dignity and respect.
Alternative Puerto Rican flags (black-and-white, gold-and-white, and rainbow pride versions) may be used when accompanied by the official Puerto Rican flag.
The official Puerto Rican flag may not be altered with caricatures or modifications. All flag displays must reflect the highest values of Puerto Rican culture.
a. Participants may not wear honoree sashes or display Parade-related titles that have not been officially sanctioned by parade organizers. This includes titles such as “___ of the Year,” “Marshall,” “Madrina,” or “Padrino,” or any title implying official Parade recognition.
b. Pageant winners are exempt; however, sashes must be clearly distinct from parade design and specify the event or title designation.
No political or electoral advertisement or signs may be displayed by any contingent.
11.THIRD PARTY PARTICIPATION
a. Only the registered group may march under its approved contingent entry. No unregistered third parties may join.
b. Contingents may not split registration fees with other groups without prior approval from parade organizers.
c. Third-party sponsors may not have a physical presence on a float (logos, branded participants, giveaways, shared float designs, etc.) without authorization. Unauthorized sponsor participation may result in reclassification to a corporate rate
The sale, possession, distribution or consumption of alcohol, cigarettes, vaping products, marijuana/cannabis, or any age-restricted substances is strictly prohibited on the parade route.
a. Music volume must be lowered and all loud sound effects turned off when passing Saint Patrick’s Cathedral (51st Street and Fifth Avenue).
b. Sound effects not related to music (sirens, horns, foghorns, etc.) and flashing lights resembling emergency vehicles must be turned off before entering the viewing stand and TV broadcast area.
c. Audio systems may not exceed 85 decibels (dB) at any time during the parade.
14. PARADE INSTRUCTIONS AND ROUTE FLOW
All participants must follow instructions from parade board members, coordinators, staff, volunteers, NYPD, and emergency personnel at all times.
This includes directions regarding pace, spacing, volume, loitering, and safety procedures. Failure to comply may result in immediate removal from the parade route.
No contingent or group of participants can at any time block the parade route, or purposefully slow down or impede the flow of the parade. This activity will result in immediate removal from the parade and may result in NYPD intervention.
15. FLOATS AND CONTINGENTS STANDARDS
a. Float requests must be indicated on the registration form. Float designs and marching plans must be described in the application.
b. Upon acceptance and payment, contingents will be connected with official float staff to coordinate design.
c. Floats that do not reflect Puerto Rican culture will not be permitted.
d. Throwing items from floats into the crowd is strictly prohibited and is grounds for immediate removal.
e. Float capacity limits set by designers must be followed. Overloading floats with people or equipment is prohibited.
f. Any group wishing to use non-approved float vendors or alternative vehicles must obtain prior approval.
a. Motorcycles, 16-wheel trucks, and vans are not permitted.
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b. Moving or rental trucks are prohibited. If you use a vehicle to bring materials to the parade that is not registered, you must move this vehicle from the contingent staging areas immediately after finishing your delivery - they cannot follow your contingent down the route. Vehicles not registered with the contingent will be taken off the route.
c. Vehicles may not display prominent logos unrelated to the contingent or approved sponsors.
d. Closed vehicles are not allowed on the route except for those pulling floats provided by the float vendor.
e. Each contingent is limited to one vehicle unless otherwise approved. Vehicle fees will apply. Oversized vehicles are subject to additional fees.
f. Participants may not sit on vehicle hoods or roofs, and doors must remain closed while moving.
g. Children must be supervised by an adult and properly secured with seatbelts or car seats as required.
h. All vehicles must comply with NYC Department of Motor Vehicles regulations and law enforcement requirements.
i. Vehicles may not be equipped with or operate high-powered external audio systems designed to exceed legal vehicle sound limits, including but not limited to “chucheros,” “kitipos,” boom cars, or similar sound systems.
17. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & MEDIA RELEASE
All Contingents will acknowledge that they have read and understand these rules and instructions upon registration. There will be a series of orientation sessions where you have the opportunity to get clarification on any of these rules, or you can email info@nprdpinc.org .
I have read and acknowledge these rules and regulations and will abide by them in order to participate in the National Puerto Rican Day Parade.
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