Apple Blossom Parade Details

2017 APPLE BLOSSOM FESTIVAL

Parade Details

The Apple Blossom Parade is set for Saturday, May 6.

Start time will be 9:30 a.m.

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS APRIL 18.

Late fee of $25 applies to all entries submitted April 19-28.
Entries received April 29-May 3 will be assessed a $50 late fee.
No entries will be accepted after May 3.

2017 Theme

Theme

The theme for 2017 is "Miles of Smiles."
All entries are strongly encouraged to design their units around this theme.

IMPORTANT: We're proud to be Americans, and we know you are, too. So, the Apple Blossom Committee asks that all units display at least one American flag, the bigger the better. Fly it proudly.

Entry fees (No increase for 2017)

$75 for nonprofit, political candidates running for office, and other individuals.

$125 for all commercial, for-profit entries.

These fees are for a single unit. Additional units will be charged $35 each.

IMPORTANT: No semis allowed in the parade.

All entries will be reviewed by the Parade Committee. Submission of entry form and fee does not guarantee acceptance.

Prizes and awards

Grand prize for the float that best represents the parade theme will be $300. Second place will get $150, and third place will receive $75.

Recognition awards for units may be given in the following categories: Best Float, Best Vintage Float, Best Vintage Vehicle, Best Walking Unit, and Best Band.

Judging takes place during the parade; winners will be notified.

For a parade entry form, click here: doc file -- pdf file. Instructions are included with entry forms.

Decorating tips

All units in the Apple Blossom -- cars, trucks, trailers, floats -- must be decorated, as in the following examples.

Truck1 Car float float1

The following are some tips to consider in decorating your unit.

STREAMERS. Tie ribbons or streamers to the car antenna. Let them hang down approximately 6 to 8 inches as you don't want them distracting your driving. If you can find one, place an antenna topper on there as well. The same ribbon or streamers can be hung along the sides of the car. Do this by using regular clear tape, but affix it to the black trim of the window only. Tape could damage the paint.
FESTOONING. Festooning is a colorful garland that can be attached to edges of vehicles and floats or wrapped around parts of each.
FRINGE. Both tissue and metallic fringe can be attached to edges of vehicles and floats.
FLORAL SHEETING/PETAL PAPER. This is a bit pricey, but it covers large areas quickly and looks good.
CHICKEN WIRE AND POMPS. After securing the chicken wire to the unit -- usually with staples, spray the wire with spray adhesive. Then, take a single pomp sheet, form it into a cone at the end of your index finger, and tuck it into the wire opening. For large areas, consider putting a pomp into every other wire hole.
CAR CHALK. Decorate the windows with window chalk, writing appropriate messages. For example, if your vehicle is pulling a parade float, you can give information about the organization involved (Girl Scout Troop 123). Also, have fun decorating around the words by drawing stars, hearts, flowers and whatever else you can think of
TIN CANS. String some tin cans and tie them to the rear bumper. Use can use empty soda cans, or those from canned vegetables. Clean the cans by rinsing them with water. For the soda cans, you can tie the string to the pop top. For other cans, you can drill a small hole or tape the string to the bottom of the can. Fishing line makes a very good string for this project. The noise from the tin cans will let your presence be known from a mile away.
BALLOONS. Fill balloons will helium and attach them to the top of vehicles and high parts of floats.
FOAMBOARD LETTERS. You can use these letters to identify your unit or group. Make sure they’re large enough to be easily read from a distance.
GRASS MATS. You can use these mats to dress up the floors and sides of trailers and other units.
POSTERS. Create posters for the sides of each car. Decorate them with markers, and then adhere them to the window trim with several pieces of tape.

Some local stores will carry many of these materials; however, some are available only at specialized party shops and online sites. Just do a Web search of "parade decorations."

Check out the images below. Use these materials or get creative for your own style and design. Download a handout with this information by clicking here.

You can find photos of several fine vintage Apple Blossom floats by clicking on the Apple Blossom history link here and scrolling to the bottom of that page.

streamer2
Streamers, made of crepe paper (above) and vinyl or metallic (above).

Garland Festooning2 Festooning3
Festooning (garland) of various sizes, styles, colors, and materials..

Fringe Fringe3 Fringe2
Fringe of different colors and materials, including metallic two-color fringe (left), tri-color vinyl (center), and single-color vinyl (right).

floral floral2
Floral sheeting/petal paper.

grass
Grass mat.

Wire Pom wire pomp
Chicken wire (left) and pomps (center), and putting the two together (right).

2016 Parade Winners

Congratulations to the following winners of the 2016 float competition:
Best of Parade -- Dance Arts
First Runner-Up -- Johnson Controls
Second Runner-Up -- St. Joseph Figure Skating
Best Band -- Buchanan Highlanders
Best Vehicle -- Restoration Church
Best Theme -- Allison's School of Dance

2015 Parade Winners

Congratulations to the following winners of the 2015 float competition:
Best of Parade -- Johnson Controls
First Runner-Up -- St. Joseph Figure Skating
Second Runner-Up -- Dance Arts
Best Band -- Savannah Marching Savages
Best Vehicle -- Military Heritage Museum
Best Theme -- First Baptist Church

2014 Parade Winners

Congratulations to the following winners of the 2014 float competition:
1st place -- St. Joseph Figure Skating
2nd place -- Friedel's Lawn & Landscaping
3rd place -- Allison's School of Dance

2013 Parade Winners

Congratulations to the following winners of the 2013 float competition:
Best of Parade: Allison's School of Dance
First Runner-Up: Johnson Controls
Second Runner-Up: St. Joseph Figure Skating Club
Best Theme: Freidel's Lawn and Landscaping

2012 Parade Winners

Congratulations to the following winners of the 2012 float competition:
Best of Parade: Johnson Controls
First Runner-Up: Allison's School of Dance
Second Runner-Up: Freidel's Lawn & Landscaping
Honorable Mention: Friends of the Shelter
Best Vintage Car: N Style

2011 Parade Winners

Congratulations to the following winners of the 2011 parade competition:
Best of Parade: MEGA Gymnastics
First Runner-Up: Kris & Kate's
Second Runner-Up: Allison's School of Dance
Best Band: Savannah High School Marching Savages
Best Vehicle: Steve Marshall 1966 Ford Mustang
Best Use of Theme: Johnson Controls

2010 Parade Float Winners

Congratulations to the following winners of the 2010 float competition:
Best Float: Corby Grove Apartments
Second Place: St. Joseph Cablevision
Third Place: Johnson Controls

2009 Parade Float Winners

Congratulations to the following winners of the 2009 float competition:
Best Float: Rising Son Youth Ranch
Runner Up: Allied Arts Council
3rd Place: Museum Hill
Best Vintage Vehicle: Davidson Classic Hot Pink
Most Creative Use of theme: Friends of the Shelter

2008 Parade Float Winners

Congratulations to the following winners of the 2008 float competition:
Best of Parade: Evans Realty
2nd Place: Success by Six (United Way)
3rd Place: Friends of the Shelter
Best Vintage Vehicle: Osborn Family
Most Creative Use of Theme: Felix Street Experience
Best Theme: Museum Hill

Congratulations to these entries and thanks to all who compete.

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