Developed in conjunction with the Spokane Fire Department

Our Goal is to create a safe and fun event for everyone who participates in the parade…entries and spectators alike. Please review the following Parade Rules prior to submitting your parade entry. All entries are required to sign a form specifying that these rules have been reviewed and understood.

The following is a list of fire and life safety requirements for parade participants in the St. Patrick's Day Parade:

1. No smoking on floats or parade vehicles.
   
2. Riding on top of or outside of vehicles without safety belts or rails is prohibited; no personnel shall be wired or tied on. Rails must be at least 42" in height around trailers if there is no form of safety belt available.
   
3. Fire or open flame on any entrant is prohibited.
   
4. All drivers of floats or vehicles shall possess a valid driver's license.
   
5. Fire extinguishers (minimum rating of 2A:10BC and with current service tag attached) are required on all:
   commercial or business-owned vehicles,
   motorized parade floats and recreational vehicles,
   vehicles that have been modified or equipped with non-standard equipment,
   vehicles that are towing anything in the parade,
   vehicles that are over 10-years old.
   
6. Exhaust system shall extend beyond any and all decorations so that drivers or riders are not exposed to carbon monoxide.
   
7. Compressed gases (such as helium) shall be properly secured and safeguarded.
   
8. All decorative material must be flame resistant or treated with a flame resistant application. Hay or straw bales can not be used unless treated or covered with a flame resistant application.
   
9. Drivers shall have 180 degree forward vision.
   
10. Please, no throwing candy from floats. We do, however, encourage walking along the sides of floats and giving out candy and toys! THIS RULE WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED!
    
11. The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and the parade Committee reserve the right to bar from the parade at any time any entrant not conforming to the rules and regulations, or refusing to follow the instructions of the police or parade officials.
    
12. Alcoholic beverages are forbidden on any float or vehicle or on the person of any participant. Entries will be taken out of the lineup during the parade if there is obvious disregard for this rule, and invitation may be withheld in the following year. Our future permit for the parade is dependent largely to strict adherence to this regulation. NO OPENED BEVERAGE CONTAINERS OF ANY KIND WILL BE ALLOWED ON THE PARADE ROUTE.
    
13. All floats or trucks entered in the parade shall be decorated in the colors of the day.
    
14. Exhaust pipes must be in proper working order and extend beyond all decorative materials on all motorized entries.
    
15. Gasoline may not be carried on any vehicle participating in the parade.
    
16. No discharging of firearms, similar types of noise makers, or fireworks allowed.
    
17. Provide body restraints or approved holding pens for riders on all entries. (Auto seat belts are available at wrecking yards). Individuals standing or riding atop entries will not be permitted. It has been recommended by the Police Department that trucks with sideboards/flatbed construction have a least 2" X 2" lumber across the back of the last sideboard so that riders can not fall out of the back.
    
18. Do not cling to or ride on the outside of vehicles.
    
19. City ordinance prohibits the throwing of any articles (candy, balloons, leaflets, etc.) to spectators along the route. This has been a continuing problem every year. Candy has been thrown from units or handed out of units along the parade route, and this has created a hazard for children running out into the street. Please refrain from this dangerous practice. Please help us make our parade a safe parade for the children who attend.
    
20. Distance between parade units is to be maintained at 30 feet. All units are required to close the gap between units when requested to do so by a parade official. All entrants must be mindful of the distance between themselves and the entries in front or behind them, and maintain proper distance accordingly. It is recommended that an individual other than the driver of all motorized entries be available to warn the driver if it becomes necessary to stop for individuals darting out onto the parade route between entries.
    
21. Use of single partisan political signs or other political material will disqualify an entry.
    
22. Equestrian requirements: NO STALLIONS! Equestrian units comprised of riders under 17 years of age must be accompanied by outriders who are 18 years or older. Two outriders for groups of 8 or less riders. Four outriders for groups larger than 8 riders. All horses must be properly trimmed and shod. It is recommended that horses be shod using BORIUM shoes. All horses must be under control of the rider at all times. Equestrian entries must furnish waste collectors with wheelbarrows and shovels.
    
23. Flagrant disregard of the above rules will be cause for ejection from the parade formation and participation in future parades may be denied.
    
24. Participants riding any type of motorcycle, 4 wheeler or bike are required to wear the proper helmets once they leave the parade route. They are not required along our route, however you are required to wear them once you have completed the parade.
    
25. Units advocating, opposing or depicting any social or sexual issues or which represent single-issue oriented groups or organizations; or any units which the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick deems may endanger, injure or annoy the safety, health, comfort, repose or sensibilites of others or may offend public decency will not be allowed.
    
26. The parade will be lead by the Spokane Police Department Motor Unit. The Laws will be obeyed and enforced. There will not be burnouts, revving of the engines, or any other reckless or negligent driving. All wheels must remain on the pavement. Participants not obeying the law can be cited or arrested for violations of the law. If the police department determines the continuation of the parade causes substantial risk to the public, it will be canceled. The sponsor is responsible for explaining this to the participants they allow into the event.
    
    Inspection shall take place prior to the start of the parade. Failure of any unit to comply with the above requirements may result in expulsion from the parade.
    
    If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Assistant Fire Marshall (509) 625-7041.
    
    Note: These rules are an included step in submitting your entry form application. They are provided here for general information.