Parade Rules & Classes

1. Entry Forms

All Entry Forms will be reviewed by the Missouri State Fair. Consideration of an Entry Form by the Missouri State Fair does not in any way constitute acceptance of that application and the Fair expressly reserves the right to reject an Entry Form for any reason. Specific instructions about parade day activities will be provided to accepted participants approximately the first of August.

Maximum dimensions for entries: Maximum width 20 ft. and must be able to turn corners. Maximum height: 13 ft.

2. Entry Fee and Deadlines

There is a $30.00 entry fee with a $2.00 processing fee. Entry forms and fees must be received by 5 p.m. July 21, 2026. No exceptions. Parade participants will receive free Fair admission by having their hand stamped at the check-in table before the parade. Parade participants will receive free Fair admission by having their hand stamped at the check-in table before the parade.

3. Judging

Judging will be based on the following criteria:

• Antique and classic car: Appearance, restoration, ingenuity and customization.
• Farm vehicle: Appearance, restoration, ingenuity and customization.
• Best use of Fair theme: Fair theme (Show-Me Stars & Stripes) interpretation required to be considered for this category, along with workmanship of entry and originality.
• Equine: Rider costume, mount, grooming and presence of horse and rider.
• Marching band: Musical quality, marching ability, appearance and performance. No formations allowed when turning corners and no stopping to perform in front of judges.

The following premiums will be paid:

• 1st place in each category except marching band* will receive $100 and a ribbon.
• 2nd place in each category except marching band* will receive $50 and a ribbon.
• 1st and 2nd place marching band will receive a plaque.

4. Non-Judged Entries

Non-judged entries will not receive premiums or awards unless the judges deem the non-judged entry to be eligible for judging in any category.

5. Decorations and Signs

For identification purposes, entry number signs will be given to each entry. These signs must be placed on the front driver side of the vehicle or float or carried in a similar position for identification to the judges.

Helium-filled balloons tied to entry and or handed out during the parade are prohibited as they can interfere with any aircraft over the fairgrounds.

Theme Floats:

• Theme float entries are encouraged to be covered in a sturdy material that can withstand adverse weather conditions.
• Theme floats must bear the name of the participant and the title of the theme depicted by the float either on the float or with a banner carried in front of the float. All signs must be easily legible.
• Floats: Maximum width 20 ft. and must be able to turn corners. Maximum height: 13 ft.

6. Vehicles

Any vehicle used as part of an entry must be provided by entrant.

7. Entry Restrictions

Entrants may submit more than one entry at a fee of $30.00 per entry. Each entry may consist of one vehicle unit (passenger vehicles including trailer, tractors, etc.). More than one vehicle per entry will be an additional $5.00 per vehicle added. Equine entries will pay one $30.00 entry fee regardless of the number of head in entry. Entries with multiple units should be lined up two or three alongside throughout the parade route if there is room to do so. Parade entries may not be used as in-kind donations, sponsorships or promotional contributions to other organizations, individuals or events. When submitting an entry, it is important to include the length of the entry and list other important details in the description boxes provided on the paper entry form or the online entry system.

8. Parade Formation and Pace of Units

The Missouri Highway Patrol will set the pace of the parade so please maintain their speed. Ranks are to be closed with no more than one vehicle or unit length between rows. Each unit shall maintain its assigned position throughout the parade and the continuous forward movement of the parade must be rapid enough to avoid gaps between each entry. Parade officials will be assigned to monitor the space between units and are authorized to remove any unit from the parade if it fails to cooperate.

The total parade route is approximately 1.5 to 2 miles long, therefore walking entries are discouraged and will only be allowed in the parade at the discretion of the Missouri State Fair. No units or routines will be allowed to slow or stop the forward movement of the parade. Violation of this rule will result in immediate ejection from the parade.

Do not stop to perform in front of the judges. Keep up with the speed of the entry in front of you.

Under no circumstances shall any participant, unit or entry move to a different position within the parade line-up before or during the parade, except under the direction of a parade authority. Riding participants will not be permitted to dismount and remount while the parade is in progress.

9. Safety

• Under no circumstances are participants allowed to throw or distribute candy or other items to the crowd. If this rule is broken and items are distributed, the Missouri State Fair has the discretion to not accept entry form the following year.
• There will be no smoking during the parade.
• Entrants carrying or under the influence of liquor, drugs or any other substance controlled by law and not taken pursuant to medical advice are not allowed.
• Units will not discharge firecrackers, caps, blanks or any other explosives that would excite the horses or other animals participating in the parade.
• Ultimate responsibility for adherence to state and local laws and for safety lies with each individual party. The Missouri State Fair, its agents and others of the parade’s organizing bodies assume no responsibility in connection with, and make no representation as to the safety of any parade entry, in whole or in part, solely by reason of compliance with rules, regulations and or guidelines for the parade.

Any violation of these rules will immediately and permanently eliminate the unit’s participation in any Missouri State Fair Parade.

10. Coggins Test

Per Missouri State Animal Health Regulations, all horses, mules and donkeys participating in a parade must have proof of a negative E.I.A. test (Coggins) within the past 12 months. A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection is required on all equine.

11. Day of Parade

Specific instructions about parade day activities, including line-up number, parking and location, will be provided to accepted entrants approximately the first of August. All entries should report to their designated line up number location by no later than 5:30 p.m. An information table will be set up along the parade route and parade officials will be canvassing the lineup areas to assist participants. All parade participants who wish to return to the fairgrounds following the parade must have their hand stamped by a parade official prior to the start of the parade.

12. Terms of Participation

The acceptance, assignment and number of units in the parade is at the sole discretion of the Missouri State Fair whose decision in these matters is final.

The Missouri State Fair reserves the right to eject any entry on day of the parade for any reason, including but not limited to inappropriate signage, displays, behavior, etc.

The Missouri State Fair shall be solely responsible for the interpretation of these rules.

*Missouri State High School Activities Association rules state that member schools cannot receive cash prizes as this is a violation of MSHSAA By-Law 4.2.4.a.