All 2026 forms and registrations will open after March 31st.

Grand Parade Registration

$0.00

RULES & GUIDELINES

*** $100 Entry Fee plus 4% CC processing fee.

2026 Applications close at 5pm on July 13, 2026

The Coast Guard Festival Board of Directors and Grand Parade Chair require all parade entries to comply with the Rules and Guidelines stated below, and reserve the right to reject or deny any entry or message for any reason. If an entry fails to adhere to the Rules and Guidelines, its future parade eligibility can and will be affected. The Grand Parade Street Squad (detailed below) will be stationed along the parade route, and will report violations to the Co- Chairs. The safety of all comes first—so with that in mind, let’s work together and give everyone a wonderful parade!

  1. The purpose of this Festival is to honor the men and women of the United States Coast Guard. The Festival is NOT a platform for addressing political, religious, and/or social issues. Any and all campaigning, promotion of a political party or advocacy for a political, religious, or social point of view, is STRICTLY PROHIBITED within the Grand Parade.
  2. Entries must be soundly constructed; neatly decorated to showcase their salute of the Coast Guard; and are welcome to celebrate Grand Haven’s official designation as “Coast Guard City, USA”. The 2026 Festival Theme is “1776 Gave us a Nation … 1790 Gave us its Guardians”
  3. Entries’ Coast Guard salute must be clearly visible from both sides of the parade route. Lettering height must be a minimum of 3 inches, and company/organization logos may be incorporated in the design.
  4. NEW FOR 2026 – Candy will not be permitted in the Grand Parade for safety reasons. 
  5. Per the GH Department of Public Safety all entries ( vehicles) must have a working fire extinguisher
  6. Entries may not exceed 12 feet in height from ground level.
  7. Semi Trucks are not permitted
  8. Entries’ tow vehicles must be clean and orderly in appearance.
  9.  Entries featuring live animals are not allowed.
  10. Entries must maintain 2 yellow road pavement markings (approx. 50 feet) of spacing between themselves.
  11. Participants walking in the parade should wear clothing/costuming indicating their belonging to their entry’s sponsoring group/organization. Participants must keep pace with their entry. Walking participants limited to 15 people per entry.
  12. Both the City of Grand Haven and Grand Haven Department of Public Safety request that NOTHING IS THROWN OR TOSSED (i.e. coupons, frisbees, water bottles, etc.) FROM ANY FLOAT OR VEHICLE DURING THE PARADE. The safety of all comes first – most especially childre. However, parade participants ( aged 16 and above) may distribute items from along the sides of the route. CANDY IS NOT PERMITTED IN THE GRAND PARADE.
  13. Water toys (i.e. balloons, buckets, cannons, guns, etc.) may not be thrown or aimed directly at spectators. However, they may be harmlessly discharged upward/above in the general direction of spectators.
  14. Car Clubs and similiar vehicular entries are limited to a total of 15 vehicles
  15. ALL VEHICULAR ENTRIES must report to their assigned lineup location no later than 10:00 AM! Traffic entering Grand Haven gets backed up very early.
  16. ALL PARTICIPANTS RIDING, MARCHING, or WALKING in/with their entry must report to their assigned lineup location no later than 10:45 AM!
  17. There will be both a radio broad casting booth and official party reviewing stand along Washington Street. Entries should be playing/marching/“doing their thing” as they approach, pass by, and continue past these locations.
  18. There shall be NO COUNTERMARCHING, DANCING IN PLACE, DRILLING, or STOPPING along the parade route. These activities create large gaps between entries and slow the entire parade.
  19. Each entry should bring adequate water and refreshments for all of its participants. While water is available at the parade route’s end (near the corner of Grant Ave. and 7th St.), it is extremely important for all parade participants to hydrate throughout the day.
  20. Entry tear-down/disassembly space is available in the parking lot at the corner of Cutler St. and Grant Ave. at the end of the parade route. All vehicles not requiring tear-down must exit the parade route by turning left (east) on Grant Ave. toward US-31.
  21. Spectators wishing to meet or pick up their entry’s participants at the parade route’s end should make arrangements OTHER THAN walking along the parade route. The parade ends (Grant Ave. & 7th St.) just 2 blocks from its start (Sheldon Rd. & Colfax Ave.).
  22. IF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED, a Red Cross First Aid tent is located at the parade route’s end (near the corner of Grant Ave. and 7th St.). Emergency personnel are also stationed along the route.
  23. The City of Grand Haven has a strictly-enforced open receptacles ordinance prohibiting drinking on public land.This includes all areas associated with the parade.
  24. The Grand Haven Department of Public Safety prohibits burnouts by parade vehicles. Tickets will be issued.
  25. Entries comprised of automotive groups/clubs will be staged two abreast and, when possible, must remain paired this way throughout the entire parade route.
  26. Entries desiring to utilize any music or sound must indicate this on their parade application.
  27. Entries will be assessed a $100.00 parade entry fee. Military, Veterans, Marching Bands and Coast Guard Festival Sponsors- Master Chief and above are exempt from this fee.
  28. Submittal of an application for entry into the Grand Parade acknowledges that the applicant has read, understands, and agrees to comply with the rules and guidelines of the Grand Parade.

APPLICATION

Note: If this submission is for a Military or Veterans Organization, Marching Band or Master Chief Sponsorship and above only, please call the main office for discounted registration. All others complete the form below.

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Select One
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$100.00
Entry or Organization Name
*
Full Name
*
Phone Number
*
Select the option best fitting you, or select and describe in “other”:
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Select an option
Antique Vehicle
Automobile Club
Color Guard
Float
Fraternal/Service Club
Governmental Unit (i.e. fire, police, utility vehicles, etc.)
Military/Veterans Unit (i.e. auxiliary, port security, etc.)
Non-Band Walking Group (i.e. business, church, clowns, school, etc.)
Other Vehicles (i.e. boats, farm/lawn equipment, etc.)
Royalty CAR (i.e. king, queen, prince, princess, court, etc.)
Royalty FLOAT (i.e. king, queen, prince, princess, court, etc.)
Police Vehicle
Fire Truck
City/County Utility Truck
Trailered Boat
Farm/Lawn Tractor
Car
Marching Band
Other
Add additional details or descriptions here: 
Does your entry include a tow vehicle?
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How many vehicles does your entry include?
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Does your entry have sound (if yes, describe)?
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Description (i.e. Loud Speakers / Air Horns / Rock Band / Choir / Drums /etc.)"
Did you participate in last year’s Grand Parade?
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To determine your entry’s acceptance and placement, a photo or detailed sketch and description must be submitted.  Formats: JPG | PNG
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Number of participants:
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Please write a paragraph of NO MORE THAN 75 WORDS that highlights your entry and includes information that you want the media and parade attendees to know. For example, include noteworthy facts, awards, or special history that you think would be of interest.
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Home City/State
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Read carefully and check the agree button at the bottom. *Participation Registrations (ie: Car Show, Boat Races, Craft Show, Bands, Parade Submissions, Food Vendors, Sports Events, Etc.) will not have tickets in the "my account" area. You will be added to an attendees list and emailed a confirmation when payment is processed.
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An online fee will be applied to process online transactions.
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INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT In consideration of the acceptance by Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival, Inc., of our entry in the Festival Grand Parade, the undersigned ("Applicant) fully releases and discharges Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival, Inc., its officers, employees and directors from any and all rights, claims, and actions which the Applicant now has or may have for the signing of this release against Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival, Inc., its officers, employees, and directors arising out of this contract. This release is intended by the parties to release all claims for injuries, damages or losses to, and its property, real or personal, whether known, unknown, foreseen, unforeseen, patent or latent, which the Applicant may have against the Release. Applicant understands and acknowledges the significance and consequence of the specific intention to release all claims and assumes full responsibility for any injuries, damages, or losses that it may have or may incur from performance of or in connection with this contract and agrees to hold harmless and indemnify Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival, Inc. from any and all injuries and damages arising from or in connection with participation in the Coast Guard Festival Grand Parade or any way in connection with this Agreement. Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival, Inc. damages include not only actual damages, but also reasonable attorney fees incurred by Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival, Inc. in defense of such claims, damages, or actions. The following definitions apply through this release: (a) Applicant means Applicant whether in the sin gular or plural, its shareholders, officers, directors, or if an individual, his or her spouse, family, heirs, personal representatives, whether corporate or individual, administrators, successors and assigns. (b) Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival, Inc. means Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival, Inc. a Michigan non-profit corporation, as well as its officers, directors, employees, agents and its successors and assigns.
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Addons Price: $0.00
Total Price: $0.00
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