It is time to prepare for the West Texas Fair & Rodeo Parade! Come see How The West Was Fun!
The Parade will be in Downtown Abilene on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 10:30 am
AWARDS
Decorated Floats: (by theme) Sweepstakes $150.00, Theme $100.00, Originality $50.00
Riding Clubs, Wagons, Vehicles 1st Place: $60.00, 2nd Place: $40.00, 3rd Place: $20.00
Vehicles 1st – 3rd Place Trophies
Antique Tractors 1st – 3rd Place Trophies
Bands 1st – 3rd Place Trophies
ENTRY DEADLINE: AUGUST 23, 2024 (must be in the office by 5:00 pm)
The 2024 West Texas Fair & Rodeo theme is: “HOW THE WEST WAS FUN” We are anxious to receive your parade entry in the very near future and honored to have you participate in the 2024 West Texas Fair and Rodeo Parade!
Effective July 1, 1977, the Texas Animal Health Commission requires all equine (horses, donkeys, mules and ponies) participating in any gathering of equine (trail rides, shows, fairs, competitions and parades) to have a negative EIA (Coggins) test within the past 12 months. Participants with equine must be prepared to present the VS 10-11 EIA test form for each equine entry. If you should need additional information, please contact your local veterinarian or the Texas Animal Health Commission 512-719-0700
GENERAL INFORMATION & STAGING AREAS FOR THE WEST TEXAS FAIR & RODEO PARADE
CHAIRMAN: Stacy Bryan
DATE OF PARADE: Saturday, September 7, 2024
STAGING TIME: All units should be in place by 8:30 am, as the parade will be televised. NEW PARADE ROUTE: The parade proceeds under the underpass north on Pine Street then turn right on to North 1st St., then turn left on Walnut St. At North 6th St. turn left and left again on Pine St. and go back under the underpass to the staging area. Try to maintain a 30-foot space between units. Disband in the 200 & 300 block of Chestnut & disperse to the South or West.
TICKETS: Each parade participant will be issued a West Texas Fair ticket. One person from each unit must retrieve your parade number, and tickets, from the Marshal in your area.
FIRST AID: A Metro Care Ambulance will be located at the corner of Pine Street and North 1st Street (N.E. corner) to administer first aid if needed. We are grateful to Metro Care Ambulance for providing this service.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR PARADE PARTICIPANTS
1. The following rule is in effect for the safety of small children: NO items, including candy, gum, buttons, t-shirts, business cards, etc. are to be tossed, thrown or handed out by any parade participant, or moving vehicle, during the parade. Parade Marshals and Law Enforcement have been instructed to enforce this regulation.
2. All music, drum cadence, sirens, bands or other loud noises should cease under the under-pass.
3. Per the City Ordinance, no loud music or excessive noise in any residential staging area throughout the duration of the parade.
4. ALL ENTRIES MUST BE UNDER 13 FEET TALL TO FIT UNDER THE UNDERPASS. We can no longer use North 1st St. for entries over 13 feet tall.
5. Motorcycles, four-wheelers and bicycle riders should be extremely cautious around horse groups. Absolutely no revving of engines under the underpass.
6. Place entry numbers on both sides of the lead entry.
7. After a unit has entered the parade – no one is permitted to board or dismount that unit.
8. If your vehicle has problems – please move to the side and let the next entry proceed. You must complete the parade route to receive your prize, if awarded.
9. Riding units must have at least 6 riders to be judged. Riding clubs will be judged by AASP & RC Rules.
10. This is a marching parade. Bands should NOT stop to play a song during the parade.
STAGING AREA INFORMATION
VIP & MILITARY UNITS report to Stacy Bryan, the Marshal for your section. Located at 300 Oak Street.
DECORATED FLOATS report to Caroline Kreitler, the Marshal for your section. Located at South 3rd & Cherry. Enter South 3rd from Treadaway where you should pick up your packet at the East side of the old Courthouse (picnic table). If being judged – your decorated float MUST be in place by 8:30 a.m.
SINGLE / COMMERCIAL UNITS report to Louie Valdez and Gilbert Robledo, the Marshals for your section. Located at South 4th & Cherry Street. Enter South 4th Street from Treadaway to pick up your number.
VEHICLES (ANTIQUE CARS, CAR CLUBS, CUSHMANS, MOTORCYCLES) report to Connie Keaton, the Marshal for your section. Located at South 5th & Chestnut Street.
ANTIQUE TRACTORS report to Rickie Johnson, the Marshal for your section. Located at South 6th & Oak. You may use 6th Street, East of Oak & the Southwest parking lot to park and unload.
BANDS report to Esser King, the Marshal for your section. Located at the 300 Block of Chestnut. Buses will drop off band members on the west side of the Courthouse, 300 Block of Chestnut. Then proceed to the Enterprise Building parking lot at South 4th & Sycamore. After the parade, band members will return to buses at this parking lot to disperse.
EQUINE UNITS All equine units report to Deedra Scott, the Marshal for your section. New location this year: Pecan & South 5th to pick up your parade number. ALL equine units must have a negative Coggins test paper. These papers should be checked at staging area. Papers should include name, number, date of test and name of laboratory.