2026 Woodstock Victoria Day Parade

Floats / Walking Group Application  

Date: Monday, May 18, 2026 at 10 a.m. (rain or shine) 
Application Deadline: Sunday, May 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Applications will not be accepted after this date/time.
Parade Route: Departing from the Woodstock Fairgrounds (875 Nellis St.) down McKenzie Street and head west on Dundas Street, turning left on Wellington Street South and turn right onto Henry Street, ending once it reaches Finkle Street. The Parade will disband on Finkle Street. 
NOTE: Must provide proof of liability insurance and (if applicable) automobile liability insurance (detailed below).

If after submitting this application you decide to incorporate live music, please contact us to ensure live music does not interfere with marching bands and animals in the parade.

Judging of Entries

Parade winners in each category will be announced to the City of Woodstock socials, added to www.cityofwoodstock.ca/victoriaday and receive a gift card purchased from Downtown Woodstock businesses. The judging station is located in front of the Foodland/Goodlife Fitness parking lot entrance. 

Categories include:

• Best Community Float, float created by a non-profit organization/business.
• Best Commercial/Industrial Float, float created by a for-profit organization/business.
• Best School Float, created by publicly-funded or not-for-profit school.
• Best Walking Group, group that walks the parade route without a vehicle.
• Grand Prize Winner with the Best Overall Float, this award will be determined by the best score overall.

Entries will be judged according to the criteria for each category:

• Effort, adherence to rules, theme, organization and planning.
• Theme, adherence to chosen theme, effective presentation of theme.
• Appearance & originality, style, presentation, overall appearance, audience response originality.
• Participation, engagement of children on float, audience, community spirit, enthusiasm from members of the group.

Certificate of Insurance showing a minimum of $2 million liability insurance is required. Policies can be purchased from: PAL Insurance, DUUO, through your insurance provider or the City of Woodstock.

Any vehicles being driven on the parade route as part of our entry must be driven by a fully licensed (full G class license) and insured driver. Please provide proof of automobile liability insurance.

Participant Regulations, Terms and Conditions
In signing this application form, all parties understand and agree to the following participant regulations, terms and conditions.

• There is no cost to enter a float in this parade.
• All entries (floats, walkers, etc.) must incorporate the parade theme into their music, float, design and/or costumes.
• All entries must be family-friendly and entertaining to a family audience.
• Any entry may be refused entrance into the parade at any time, should the entry not meet parade guidelines or differ from its approved entry form.
• Vehicle drivers must turn off cellular devices and remain focused for the duration of the parade. 
• No participants in the parade shall consume, nor give the impression of consuming, alcoholic beverages or any other substance that alters sobriety.
• This is a smoke-free environment.
• We hereby grant the City of Woodstock the right and permission to use any and all pictures and film footage of our group/entry/float for the purpose of promoting the Woodstock Victoria Day Parade.
• No premature exiting of the parade route.
• Automobiles (car/trucks/etc.) are NOT acceptable as a float entry, unless approved by the parade committee. Antique automobiles may be considered.
• Floats with generators or other possible fire hazards must provide suitable fire extinguishing equipment on the float.
• No float entry shall exceed 14FT in height.
• All floats carrying passengers are required to be constructed with safety railings around the perimeter of the float OR all float passengers must be always seated and supervised. No one is to sit on the edge of the float trailers with their feet dangling over the side.
• No items, including candy, may be thrown from or by any float or entry. For safety reasons, candy can be distributed from street level only. No entry will distribute coupons, literature, pamphlets, leaflets, brochures, flyers, or any other written or printed advertising to spectators.
• I/we understand that I/we are not permitted to collect donations of any kind (cash, toys, food, etc.) along the parade route.

Walkers

• Minimum age for walkers is 10 years, unless accompanied by an adult.
• Walkers must always remain a minimum of 10FT away from a float.
• Ensure walkers keep up with their group. Small children should be encouraged to ride on a float instead of walking.
• Walking groups shall not have a vehicle following its walkers, including animal groups.

Mailing Address: City of Woodstock 500 Dundas St., P.O. Box 1539, Woodstock, ON N4S 0A7
Email: events@cityofwoodstock.ca 
Telephone: (519) 539-2382 ext. 4104

If you do not receive a thank you for submitting this application notification, your application did not submit. You will also receive an email from events@cityofwoodstock.ca in 1-5 business days. If you are unsure your application was received, please email events@cityofwoodstock.ca.