On Saturday, December 7th, 2024, starting at 4:30 pm in downtown Bangor, the Rotary Club of Bangor will once again stage its yearly Festival of Lights Parade.
Our 2024 theme is “The Magic of Rotary”.
As in the past, we hope to present a spectacular nighttime parade, featuring entries that convey the many ways of celebrating winter in Maine.
To help defray the cost of transportation, Rotary will contribute up to $1,000 to the first marching band (school or non-profit) who registers and marches in our parade.
We can accommodate approximately 80 glittering units: marching bands, small and large floats, dancers and other performing groups. Your group may represent traditional scenes celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Ramadan, New Years, Solstice, Kwanzaa or any winter happening. This dazzling event brightens the season for the thousands of spectators who will line the streets of Bangor.
You may apply to be part of this parade by completing an application form. Please click on the following link to access the application form and waiver.
Please describe your unit/float design (art work doesn’t count - any layout will help planners tremendously - size and theme will help us plan). We ask you to include these with your application as it helps us present a better parade for spectators…we want to avoid putting two “Frosty” floats, or two units playing the same music close together.
There is no fee to participate in the Parade. The deadline for registering is November 15th at 5:00 PM. Please call Roland Narofsky at 862-7259 (w) with questions or concerns regarding your application, or participation in the Bangor Rotary’s Festival of Lights Parade. Please provide your email address in your application to allow timely or communication from the committee. We will not share it with others outside the Parade Committee operation.
The parade is weather dependent. We have decided that if we have inclement weather that is not conducive to a safe Parade environment, we will establish an alternative delay date. This year the delay date will be December 14th. Same times and lineup will be used.
Building A Float
Creating a spectacular float—that is all aglow-takes time, a dedicated crew of volunteers and Yankee ingenuity. Check out these websites for ideas and, have fun building a fabulous entry.
I want to invite you to check out this new link. Awesome floats have been made by the City of East Peoria that may be submitted in their parade and then displayed at various locations throughout the holiday season.
Judging and Trophies
Our judges will be seated on the Reviewing Stand in West Market Square. Marching bands, performing groups and those who would like to perform (a song, dance, skit, etc), for the judges will have 30 seconds to stop at the reviewing stand. Please practice with a stopwatch.
The Bangor Rotary will present trophies in seven categories plus best overall entry—be sure to check off the appropriate designations for your unit. Categories include, Outstanding Non-Profit; Outstanding Youth Group; Outstanding Commercial Entry; Outstanding Municipal; Outstanding Performing Entry; Outstanding Adult Group and Outstanding Band.
Notes to Entrants
For last minute info go to http://www.BangorRotary.org
This is a nighttime parade…be sure your entry (vehicle and people) is festively decorated and loaded with lots of lights!!!
- Please no candles. Use a quiet generator or another source of power. Test and re-test your lights. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Fuel should not be carried on any float.
- No candy or other items are to be handed out or thrown to spectators along the parade route. This is a safety requirement, as children dart into the streets for candy.
- During the parade, designate at least two spotters to walk near your float to check on float riders and parade viewers.
- Vehicle Operators should possess a valid Maine Driver’s license and be at least 18 years of age. This includes any commercial vehicles and its operator.
- Floats should be constructed to support the number of participants
- Create 2 signs with your name (1 for each side of your float) so spectators and judges will know who you are.
- Please, NO Santa—we already have one.
- Please be sure your entry features music. You may sing, play instruments or play recorded music.
Parade Formation: Parade units will form on Exchange Street and utilize the side streets and parking areas around Exchange Street including Hancock Street between Oak and Exchange, York Street between Oak and Exchange as well as the public lots in Kenduskeag Plaza.
We have a REVISED Parade Route: The “official” parade starting point is the intersection of State/Exchange. From there, the route will turn left on State Street and proceed to the intersection of Main/State/Hammond. It then turns left onto Main Street and proceeds up Main Street to the intersection of Main/Water Street and continues to the intersection of Water/Washington Street. It then turns left onto Washington Street. The parade will end at the intersection of Washington/Exchange Street.
We have a NEW location for the Parade End: We will use Exchange Street and the side streets and parking areas around Exchange Street including Hancock Street between Oak and Exchange, York Street between Oak and Exchange as well as the public lots in Kenduskeag Plaza to unload the floats and breakdown as necessary.
Special thanks to our Parade route businesses for their understanding during the closing of the roads in front of their establishments. Please remember to thank them by visiting them and shopping while you are in Bangor.
APPLY TODAY!
Sincerely,
Roland Narofsky
Festival of Lights Parade Chair
Service Above Self
P.O. Box 2787
Bangor, ME 04401
United States of America