Marching Band Application

MARCHING BAND APPLICATION

Parade starts at 1:00 p.m. Main Street closes at 10:00 a.m.

Section 1:         Band Contact Info
Section 2:         Band Logistics
Section 3:         Band Media Info for TV Commentary
Section 4:         Rules, Requirements and Band Reservation Agreement (Read and Sign is Required)

Review the Band Rules, Requirements and Band Reservation Agreement and complete Sections 1, 2 3, and 4 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Application Deadlines:
March 2, 2026 – Deadline – Sections 1 thru 4 must be signed, completed & submitted to Blossomtime
March 30, 2026 – Final Parade Line-Up goes to print – No further changes accepted
May 1, 2026 – Marshaling/Demarshaling information will be emailed to you. We will only mail the participant car passes via USPS to your Primary Contact.

This is a Band application to participate in the Blossomtime Grand Floral Parade. This form is designed to provide the Blossomtime Festival with all of the important information about your Band entry in the Grand Floral Parade.

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Name of School/Organization

Band Director Name (First & Last Name)

Please note that any information packets that require mailing via United States Postal Service will be sent to Primary Contact (Band Director) Only. We normally communicate with you via email or have forms available on our website.

Primary Mailing Address (School or Home)

Street Address

City

State

Zip Code

Director – Phone number

Director – Email Address

Assistant Band Director Name (First & Last Name)

Assistant Director – Phone number

Assistant Director – Email Address

School/Organization – Phone number

Best Time to Call

School/Organization Email

Number in Playing Unit

Dum Major(ette)

Flag Corps / Color Guard / Baton Unit:

Flag Corps

Number of Flag Corps Members

Color Guard

Number of Color Guard Members

Baton Unit

Number of Baton Unit Members

Mascot(s)

Mascot Name

Convertible Driver for Mascot Name (First & Last Name)

Contertible Driver for Mascot Phone or Email

Description of Mascot

(Mascots are encouraged to participate with the school band. Please coordinate with your athletic department if necessary)

Number of Chaperones (1 for every 30 members)

Attire

Number of Buses (that will be parked at Demarshaling Area)

Number of Support Vehicles (that will be parked at Demarshaling area)

Blossomtime Grand Floral Parade is broadcast live on WSBT TV. We request that you provide some data and interesting or unique facts about your Band that you would like to share with the general public. The TV commentators will use the information you provide to showcase your Band for your hometown or school to enjoy. For example, what is the history of your Band, list honors/awards and events that you have participated in last year. We ask that your band stop prior to the review stand for TV coverage purposes. You will be stopping in place for 20 seconds; your banner carriers will be stopping on a line marked on the road. During this 20 second period your band is expected to play for the TV cameras, and do not have to do anything more than play, IF you choose to have them perform a small dance/drill that is acceptable and up to you, please remember it is ONLY 20 seconds.

If your band is performing any kind of drill/dance movement, please describe for TV purposes:

MEDIA INFORMATION must be completed by MARCH 2ND , 2026 or before. No additions or revisions after this date.

Describe Band Uniforms & Hats (Color, Style)

List of Band Repertoire or songs you plan to perform

List awards or special recognition your band has received in the Past Year

All routines must be performed in a forward motion. You may be asked to perform a song at any time; however, stopping to perform is not permitted unless asked by a Parade Official. Bands are expected to play as much as possible throughout the Parade route especially when entering the television coverage area.

Due to the pre-parade performance by the Indianapolis Police Drill Team (who start the Parade at 1:00 p.m.), there may be stopping and starting from time to time early on along the Parade route. Bands are expected to use a cadence of 120-132 steps per unit. The Parade moves at a pace to insure all units appear on television. All bands are expected to keep the pace and distance of a 75 foot interval at all times, but most importantly the bands need to perform as a Parade unit and not as a field show. Gaps pose a safety hazard to people, especially children, who attempt to cross the Parade route in these gaps. Gaps also slow the Parade down, making television coverage difficult.

Cars, Vans, Trailers, ATV’s and Equipment Trucks are not allowed to follow behind your band.
Each year Golf Carts for Band Directors need to be preapproved by the Parade Coordinator.
No sirens or bull horns are to be used in the band music.
Designated times will be assigned to each band according to your position in the lineup.
Band members should be dressed in their traditional band uniform or band approved summer uniform. Clown or untraditional uniforms must be approved by the Parade committee.
Band leadership should dress in business casual dress. Example: Sport coat, dress shirt and slacks, collared shirt, no jeans or shorts. Please take pride in your High School Band and dress accordingly, remember the Parade is televised.
Band chaperones, with the exception of the band director, must walk behind and/or on the right the band at all times.
For every 30 members one chaperone is sufficient. Chaperones should be dressed in similar style attire that identifies them as a part of the band. Parade officials will be monitoring the number of chaperones.
Please include a photograph of your band if you are a first time entrant or have new uniforms.
If you have special requests (such as keeping a high school and middle school band together for logistics purposes), please notify us at time of application.

The Parade marshals will be making a special effort to see that everyone follows the rules and has a good but safe time.

You will be required to be in the parade staging area forty-five (45) minutes prior to your step-off time. Times will be forthcoming in your final packet.

Your buses will be allotted fifteen (15) minutes for unloading at the parade staging area.

WEATHER POLICY: The parade will proceed, rain or shine. However, in case of severe weather (thunder and lightning), the parade officials will institute a 20 MINUTE DELAY. Each instance of thunder or lightning will reset the 20-minute clock. There must be a complete 20 minutes without thunder or lightening for the event to continue. If the weather does not look to be clearing after multiple delays, the parade organizer will make the decision to cancel. Please plan on being at your post as scheduled.

RESERVATION STATEMENT

All entries are subject to approval by the Blossomtime Parade Committee.

Exception to any rule contained herein requires approval of the Blossomtime Parade Committee.

Violation of any rule contained herein may result in the immediate removal of a unit prior to or during the parade and render the unit ineligible to participate in future parades.

In consideration of the acceptance of our Band entry in the 2026 Blossomtime Grand Floral Parade, we hereby release the Blossomtime Festival from any and all liability, as well as, any and all injuries or damage whatsoever arising from our participation in the aforementioned parade.

I have read and agree to the above Reservation Statement

Electronic Signature

Date