2026 Freedom Festival Grand Parade Entry Registration

Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary
Join us for the JCI Ludington Freedom Festival as we celebrate America’s 250th and the 72nd annual Freedom Festival! The Grand Parade, proudly hosted by the Ludington Area Jaycees, will take place on the 4th of July.
Thank you for your interest in participating in this long-standing community tradition. This event draws thousands of local residents and visitors each year. In honor of this historic milestone, we are strongly encouraging decorated, traditional float-style entries.(Must purchase a "decorated" ticket for this contest and will be provided a number to secure to your entry for public voting). We ask all participants to help create a visually engaging and festive parade experience. THIS YEAR Thomas F Construction LLC is sponsoring a float contest and offering $750 CASH PRIZE in three different categories to help everyone get in the spirit for this once in a lifetime celebration! Entries are allowed 50 feet. Oversized entries must purchase and "Oversize Ticket" in addition to their category entry ticket that will allow up to 100 feet.
⸻
Parade At a Glance (Key Rules)
•Maximum speed: 5 MPH
•Drivers must be licensed and sober
•Candy/items: walkers only, Ludington Avenue only
•No distribution after Park Street
•Walkers must hand items at the curb (no children in roadway)
•Walkers must stay with their entry
•Maintain continuous forward movement (no gaps or stops)
•No stopping on Lakeshore Drive
•Follow all staff and emergency personnel instructions
⸻
Parade Rules & Guidelines
To ensure a safe and enjoyable event for all, participants must adhere to the following:
1. NO throwing of candy or items from vehicles or floats.
• Items may be handed out by walkers only. This is a city ordinance, and violations may result in ticketing.
• Candy and giveaways may ONLY be distributed along Ludington Avenue.
• NO items may be handed out after Park Street to prevent congestion near the end of the route, as Lakeshore Drive remains an open roadway.
• All individuals handing out items must do so at the curb, walking up to spectators rather than encouraging children to enter the roadway or parade route.
• Walkers must remain with their assigned entry at all times.
• Entries distributing items must have adequate walker support to do so safely without slowing or disrupting parade flow.

2. NO water guns, water pistols, or water balloons.
3. Animal entries must provide immediate cleanup of any waste.
4. NO selling or solicitation along the parade route.
5. NO distribution of beverages, including water.
6. NO helium balloons, as they pose an environmental hazard.

7. Maintain parade spacing:
• No more than two car lengths between your entry and the one in front of you.
• Large gaps will not be tolerated.

8. Family-friendly standards apply:
• Please remember there are children in attendance and plan your entry accordingly.

9. Driver & Operator Requirements:
• All drivers must possess a valid driver’s license.
• All vehicle operators must be sober and free from alcohol or drugs.
• Parade vehicles must not exceed 5 miles per hour at any time.
10. No Alcohol or Drug Use:
• Alcoholic beverages and illegal substances are strictly prohibited for all participants before and during the parade.
11. No Open Flames or Fireworks:
• Open flames, sparklers, and fireworks are not permitted on or around parade entries.
12. Float & Rider Safety:
• All riders must remain seated or have secure handholds or railings.
• Riders may not sit on edges or in unsafe positions.
• No jumping on or off moving vehicles.
13. Check-In & Line-Up Compliance:
• All entries must arrive and check in by the designated time.
• Late arrivals may be denied entry or placed at the end of the parade.
14. Follow Parade Staff & Emergency Personnel Instructions:
• All participants must follow directions from parade officials, volunteers, law enforcement, and emergency personnel at all times.
• All entries must yield immediately to emergency vehicles if necessary.
15. Authorized Participants Only:
• Only registered vehicles and participants are allowed in the parade lineup and route.
16. Mechanical Readiness:
• All vehicles must be in safe working condition.
• In the event of a breakdown, entries must safely move off the route as quickly as possible.
17. Maintain Forward Movement:
• Entries should continue moving unless directed otherwise.
• Sudden or unnecessary stops are not permitted.
18. End-of-Route Instructions:
• No stopping on Lakeshore Drive.
• Entries that need to stop for unloading, loading, or undecorating must exit onto a designated side street.

19. Right to Refuse or Remove Entry:
• The Ludington Area Jaycees reserve the right to deny or remove any entry deemed unsafe, inappropriate, or not in alignment with parade standards.

Failure to follow these rules will result in removal from the parade route and may result in disqualification from future events.
⸻
Weather Policy
This is a rain or shine event. In the case of severe or dangerous weather, the parade may be canceled. No refunds will be issued in the event of cancellation.
⸻
Indemnification Agreement
By participating in the Freedom Festival Grand Parade, entrants agree to release the Ludington Area Jaycees from any and all liability for injuries or damages arising from participation. All federal, state, and local laws and ordinances must be followed.
⸻
Photo Release
By participating in this public event, entrants grant permission to the Ludington Area Jaycees to use photographs and video of participants for promotional purposes.

Event Venue

Ludington, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Get App