Connie Tootle, Trustee Phone 477-2270
Committee: Bob Tootle, Mary Kopec, Tom Kopec

Category A – Competition Floats

All floats entered must represent businesses or organizations from within the “trading area” (17 mile radius of Circleville) including all of Pickaway County.

Maximum length of any float is 40 feet. Maximum height is 13 feet, 6 inches. Maximum width is 10 feet.

All floats must participate in four parades. All floats participate in the Wednesday and Saturday night parades. All floats will be assigned by the float committee to either the Thursday afternoon and evening parades, or the Friday afternoon and evening parades. Contact the float committee if you would like to participate in all parades.

Floats shall display assigned numbers (distributed at the judging) on the front of the towing vehicle, or if self-propelled, on the front of the float. Numbers shall be prominently displayed in the middle of the windshield without obstructing the driver’s vision. Headlights must be turned off during the parade, if possible. Numbers must be displayed so they are easily read by the announcers at each reviewing stand.

Towing vehicles shall be of sufficient size and braking power to control the float in tow, and are limited to cars, vans, pickups or small utility tractors. No other vehicles will be permitted.

Each float or towing vehicle must carry two 2 ˝ lb. fire extinguishers (1A10BC) or one 5 lb. fire extinguisher (3A40BC) The fire extinguisher must be readily available in case of an emergency. No open flame may be used on the float. Keep CLOSE to the unit ahead of yours at all times to avoid a breakdown in the procession. If you are having problems maintaining your position in the parade, pull out of the parade line-up at the next intersection. In the event of a complete breakdown, push the unit to the side of the street to allow the other units to continue.

ABSOLUTELY NO ITEMS MAY BE THROWN OR PASSED FROM THE VEHICLE OR BY WALKERS ALONG THE PARADE ROUTE. NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE PERMITTED IN THE VEHICLE OR ON THE FLOAT. The Circleville Pumpkin Show reserves the right to eject any entry that is deemed to be not in the best interests of the Circleville Pumpkin Show or its participants.

All floats will form for the parades ONE HOUR before parade time at the intersection of Washington and Main Streets, and will be directed from there to the appropriate line-up slot on East Main Street at Pickaway or on Franklin Street at Pickaway. Afternoon parades begin at 3:30 p.m. Evening parades begin at 8:00. Assembly space at the parade formation area is extremely limited. Observe line-up lanes and obey attendants. Do not leave towing vehicles unattended, and do not remove the keys and leave the vehicle. MAKE KEYS AVAILABLE TO THE LINE-UP PERSONNEL IN THE ORANGE JACKETS.

Float sponsors must submit eight (8) 3x5, typed (one side only) index cards detailing all information regarding the float entry and its riders for use by the announcers at each of the reviewing platforms. These cards should accompany the float entry application, entry fee (if applicable), and snapshot of the float (for judging purposes) at the time of registration. All of these items (application, index cards, photo and entry fee) must be received NO LATER THAN NOON, THE SATURDAY BEFORE THE START OF PUMPKIN SHOW. Applications should be mailed to Connie Tootle, Float Chairperson, 159 East Franklin Street, Circleville, Ohio 43113. Application blanks will appear in the “THE ADVERTISER,” or on-line prior to the closing date.

All entries must participate in all parades as designated by the float rules. The Circleville Pumpkin Show reserves the right to reclassify any entry in case of a dispute of classes. NO REFUNDS OF ENTRY FEES WILL BE MADE FOR NO-SHOWS OR FOR FLOATS THAT DO NOT CONFORM TO THESE RULES AND REGULATIONS.

JUDGING

All floats must be assembled at the Pickaway County Fairgrounds no later than 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, the opening day of Pumpkin Show.

All floats must assemble in classes for judging. Each class in competition must have a minimum of three entries. Otherwise, the float chairperson reserves the right to reclassify for judging.

Judging will also be conducted during the Wednesday evening parade. Winners will be announced and prizes awarded during the Saturday evening parade. The following categories will be used for judging purposes:
Class 1: Scouts, School, Youth, Church
Class 2: Commercial, Industrial
Class 3: Fraternal, Civic, Festival
Class 4: Small Business, Special

The “Special” category in Class 4 is for those floats representing a non-profit organization that do not fit any of the other listed categories.

Any float bearing a sign or ad for a profit making organization is required to pay an entry fee of $50.00.

Prizes will be awarded as follows:
Grand Prize – (Most Outstanding from Classes 1, 2, 3, 4) - $500.00
First Prize – (One selected from each class) - $200.00
Second Prize – (One selected from each class) - $100.00
Third Prize – (One selected from each class) - $50.00

All winners will be presented with an 8x10 color photograph of their float.

Category B – Non-competition Floats

All floats in Category B must request an application from the Director of Parades (see “Parades” section).

Non-competition floats must have a parade permit issued by parade officials. Entries close at 6:00 p.m. Friday preceding the show. Contact Dr. James D. River, Parade Trustee, for an application form. All floats, if accepted for participation, must conform to the rules set forth in the application.