Johnson City Christmas Parade
Powered by the Blue Plum Organization
Downtown Johnson City, Tennessee
December 7 at 10:30 a.m.
Join the parade
2024 parade applications will open on October 1 and close November 25.
Awards given to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place overall winners, and we are introducing the Blue Plum Pick (chosen by our board)
This year's theme is "Gingerbread City." Reimagine your favorite places and things in Johnson City as gingerbread houses and gingerbread people. We can't wait to see what your imagination comes up with. It's going to be so SWEET!
Parade route
Staging at ETSU Lot#9 on the corner of University Parkway & State of Franklin. The parade will travel left onto University Parkway, turn right onto W. State of Franklin, left onto Buffalo Street, right onto E. Main Street, right onto Colonial Way, left onto E. State of Franklin, ending in the Old Burley Lot at the corner of E. State of Franklin and Legion Street. All entries must stay towards the middle of the parade route roads for the safety of spectators.
Staging & participant drop-off
Staging for parade is in the ETSU Student Parking Lot #9 beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (Corner of University Parkway & State of Franklin and W. Walnut St. & Gilbreath). The parade will begin at 10:30 a.m.
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If you are dropping off participants, please park in the lot off of West Maple St. on the campus of ETSU. Please turn off of University Parkway onto W. Maple St.- THIS IS A ONE WAY STREET.
Marching band members will line up in the lot between W. Walnut and Lynn St., behind the Roadrunner gas station. All those walking or riding on floats will stage in the parking lot on the corner of W. State of Franklin and University Parkway, across from McDonald's.
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​Line-up placement information will be emailed to participants on or by Monday, December 2.
Participant pick up & float tear-down
If you are picking-up participants, please park in the City Hall parking lot off East Main St. Participants will be dropped off in the old Burley lot on the corner of E. State of Franklin and Legion St. Anyone wanting to tear-down their floats will be asked to make their way to the parking lot by Johnson City Doughboys baseball stadium.
Rules & Application
Please communicate rules to all members of your parade entry!
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Parade rules and information are designed to remind participants that sometimes even the most innocent actions can provoke significant problems in a crowded area. The rules are in place to ensure that we have an orderly, safe and joyful parade.
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Entry fee of $95 For-profit OR $45 for Non-profit organizations must be paid online with registration for the parade. Marching Bands will not pay a fee, but do need to register. Parade waiver information is included with payment of entry fee. NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN IN THE EVENT OF WEATHER OR CANCELLATIONS/NO SHOWS ON THE PART OF YOUR ORGANIZATION.
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Each vehicle/float per group entry will be assessed an entry fee. This includes anyone wanting to register multiple floats.
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Floats/vehicles must depict different, fun &/or outrageous decorating ideas around the parade theme. This year’s theme is: TBA. FLOATS MUST BE DECORATED. Floats with purely commercial advertisements and/or branding will NOT be permitted. Your float must be decorated to the parade's theme, "Gingerbread City." (i.e. you can not enter a car that just says "Joe's Business.")
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No farm animals are allowed, this includes horses.
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Marching units must remain moving along the parade route at all times. You may not stop to perform maneuvers.
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Any distribution of candy or other items must be handed out. Candy may not be thrown from floats or vehicles.
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PLEASE NO SANTA! Santa will be at the end of the parade. We do not want to confuse the children.
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Vehicles cannot be entered for advertising purposes only. Exceptions are classic cars, municipal vehicles and pageant queen cars.
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Floats must be under 13 ft. 6 in. in height.
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No individual political candidate floats.
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No motorcycles will be permitted.
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For organizations entering multiple floats, your ticket quantity must match how many floats you are brining.
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Absolutely NO taunting, harmful, inappropriate or inflammatory language or music will be tolerated.
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The Parade Committee reserves the right to deny entrance to parade for:
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Late arrivals.
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Entries that do not comply with rules.
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Entries deemed inappropriate or unsafe.
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For questions or more information, email blueplumdirector@gmail.com
Thank You to Our 2024 Parade Sponsors
