Special Units Application

Section 1: Special Unit Contact Info
Section 2: Type of Special Unit and Media Info for TV Commentary
Section 3: Rules, Requirements and Reservation Agreement (Read and Sign is Required)

Review the Special Unit Rules, Requirements and Reservation Agreement and complete Sections 1, 2 3, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. See Application Deadlines below.

Application Deadlines:                          

March 2, 2026 – Deadline – Sections 1 thru 3 must be signed, completed & submitted to Blossomtime by this date
March 30, 2026 – Final 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.  We will only mail the participant passes via USPS to your Primary Contact.

This is an application to participate in the Blossomtime Grand Floral Parade.  This form is designed to provide the Blossomtime Festival with important information about your participation.

The Blossomtime Festival reserves the right to review and accept/deny any special unit entry request in accordance with the Festival’s rules and regulations.

  • Please note that there is no third-party sponsor identification permitted on any part of the special unit entry.
  • The Blossomtime Festival Grand Floral Parade does not sponsor or accept as a special unit “Issue Advertising”.  This includes: those groups who support candidates; groups who support or oppose any question that would be the subject of a referendum; legislative, executive or judicial determination of a public question.  Political candidates will be approved by invitation only.

Go back

Your message has been sent

Please note that if any information packets that require mailing via United States Postal Service will be sent to Primary Contact Only.  We contact via email or have forms available on our website (office@blossomtimefestival.org) for all other communications.      

If this is your first appearance in our parade, you must submit a photograph of your unit for parade committee approval.

TYPE Of Special Unit: (Example: Political Dignitary, Group, Parents of Blossomtime Royalty, Former Royalty, Parade Dignitary, Grand Marshal, Honorary Grand Marshal, Costume Character(s), Clowns, Horse Drawn Wagons, Animals, Musical Units (other than High School Bands), Mascot, Equestrian Teams, Precisions Drill Teams (no one under the age of 14, no stopping and dancing/performing), Antique Vehicles (Prior to 1970) , Specialty Vehicle, Commercial Venue, Novelty Units or Other.  Please describe:

If you charge an appearance fee for your unit you must send your performance contract with the fee clearly stated along with this application.  We will review the contract and return a signed copy to you if we agree to your fee and terms. 

Drag and drop or click to select a file.

  1. Vans, Trailers, Go Carts, ATV’s, etc. and equipment trucks are not permitted.
  •  All accessory vehicles including, but not limited to,  busses, trailers, transportation of any kind may NOT ride in the parade route, a map will be provided to assist with getting to the demarshalling area.  Please plan on drivers to move vehicles if need be.
  • No sirens or horns may be used by any units.
  • Political figures designated Honorary Grand Marshals will be limited to those invited guests of the Board of Directors.
  • No objects of any kind (including autographs & candy) may be distributed or thrown to Parade spectators. No throwing candy out of a car. Failure to comply, could result in disqualification of the parade the following year.
  • No burnout are allowed. Failure to comply could result in disqualification of the parade the following year.
  • Public address systems or use of amplification equipment for music will not be allowed.
  • Entries must not stop forward motion in order to perform.  Those doing so may result in being removed from the lineup.  You are to keep the proper 75 feet interval between units at all times.
  • The use of convertibles is generally restricted to those carrying dignitaries, Honorary Grand Marshals, politicans and costumed characters. All politicians and costume characters must provide their own car to ride in.  All riders will be limited to one person in the convertible unless a handler is needed.
  1. Antique vehicles must be entered as individual units and must display a current license.  Enclosed antique cars: Driver and one passenger in front seat, only 2 passengers in the back seat.  Antique convertible cars: Driver and one passenger in the front seat, only 2 passengers in the back seat.  It is suggested those entering antique cars consider dressing in clothing appropriate to the period the car was manufactured.  If you and your passenger/s choose not to follow that suggestion your attire may be casual.  Please NO jeans, cutoffs, tank tops or jean jackets.  Remember, dress for the weather.  All drivers must hold a valid operator’s license and must be at least 18 years of age.
  1. Identification of sponsorship is limited to 4″ letters. 
  1. Animal units will be approved by the Parade committee.  Equestrian units and/or horse drawn wagons MUST provide a cleanup unit.  A Negative Coggins Test dated December 2013 or later is required to transport equine in the state of Michigan.  A copy must be included with your application before any equine exhibitor’s application will be approved.
  1. The use of alcohol by Parade participants before or during the Parade is strictly prohibited.  Those doing so will be asked to leave the Parade.
  1. If you are a first-time entrant, you must submit a photograph of your unit. Approval may not be considered granted until it is received in writing.

A request for any variation from these rules must be submitted with your application

No later than March 2nd, 2026

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 Special Unit 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.