Heritage Days Parade Registration

Salem 400+ Heritage Days Parade Guidelines and Parade Theme

Overview

The Salem 400+ Heritage Days Parade, scheduled for August 1, 2026, will be a cornerstone event of Salem's quadricentennial commemoration. This community-centered celebration aims to showcase Salem's rich history, diverse cultural heritage, and vision for the future through thoughtful, engaging, and inclusive parade entries.

Participation Eligibility

Who Can Participate

• Community organizations, Neighborhood Groups and nonprofits serving Salem
• Educational institutions (schools, universities, educational programs)
• Cultural and heritage groups with connections to Salem's history
• Local businesses
• Civic and governmental organizations
• Performance groups (musical ensembles, dance troupes)
• Religious and faith-based organizations
• Volunteer and service organizations

Priority will be given to Salem based organizations.

Parade Entry Requirements

Thematic Guidelines

All entries MUST connect to at least one of the following themes:

1. Salem's diverse historical narrative
2. Acknowledgment of indigenous heritage
3. Community building and connection
4. Vision for Salem's future
5. Cultural traditions that have shaped Salem
6. Salem’s historical timeline

• Floats
  • Maximum dimensions will be provided in the Information Packet.
  • All materials must be secured and weather-resistant
• Motorized Vehicles

• • Minimum of 1 vehicle up to 10 per registration.
  • Description of vehicle(s)

• Motorcycles

• • Minimum of 4 up to 10 per registration
  • Description of Group or Organization

• Bicycles
  • Minimum of 6
  • Description of Group or Organization

• Marching Units
  • Minimum of 5 participants, maximum of 150
  • Units must maintain parade pace and spacing
  • All participants must wear identifying attire or markers
  • Description of Group or Organization

• Performance Groups
  • Performances must be mobile and continuous
  • Description of Group or Organization

• Historical
  • Must be historically accurate and respectful
  • Weaponry (historical or replica) must be approved and non-functional
  • Description of Group or Organization

Community Representation Guidelines

Inclusive Representation

• Entries must be respectful of all cultures, backgrounds, and identities
• Accurate representation of historical events and peoples is required
• Stereotypical or offensive portrayals will not be permitted
• Entries representing historical periods should acknowledge complex historical truths

Practical Information

Parade Route & Logistics

• Assembly area: Salem State University O’Keefe Sports Complex 225 Canal St.
• Step-off time: 10:00 AM
• Route length: Approximately 1.5 miles
• Detailed maps and instructions will be provided upon acceptance

Safety & Accessibility

• Throwing items from entries is prohibited; hand-to-hand distribution only
• All motorized vehicles must provide proof of insurance
• Entries should consider accessibility for participants and viewers

Environmental Responsibility

• Single-use plastics are strongly discouraged
• All distributed materials should be recyclable or compostable
• Participants are responsible for cleaning up any materials from their entry

We reserve the right to deny entry to the Parade if we feel that a group or individual does not adhere to the Salem 400+ Heritage Days Parade Guidelines.

These guidelines are subject to updates and refinements as parade planning progresses. The most current version will always be available at Salem400.org/parade.

Parade Rules, Terms, & Conditions

1. Parade Insurance: City of Salem requires any companies marching in the Parade to have General Liability insurance with City of Salem named as an Additional Insured on the Certificate of Insurance.
   If you are a company with General Liability Insurance, please upload a copy of a Certificate of Insurance with “City of Salem 93 Washington Street, Salem MA 01970” named as Additionally Insured with your Vendor Registration form.
2. Parade Time and Registration: The Parade begins at 10AM on August 1st, 2026. The parade will occur rain or shine. There is no rain date for this parade so please come prepared. The parade begins at O'Keefe Sports Complex, 225 Canal Street, Salem, MA and ends at Derby Wharf at 160 Derby Street, Salem. Parade registration will be open at 7:00 a.m. Please come to the Parade Registration Tent at the O'Keefe Sports Complex parking lot to register your group and receive your parade set up location.
3. Motor Vehicle Participation Insurance Requirements: City of Salem must be identified as the certificate holder on your insurance binder/certificate of liability form. A copy of this form must be provided to City of Salem 400 Coordinator prior to the start of the parade.
4. Payment: Make checks payable to City of Salem. You are required to send full payment. If you are paying via check, please return with payment to City of Salem Care of Virginia Cherol 98 Washington Street, Salem, MA 01970. If you are paying on-line via PayPal please use the link provided to register and provide on-line payment. If you require an alternative payment method, please contact vcherol@salem.com.
5. Refunds: An application is a commitment to the event. If for some reason the event is not held, refunds will be made, otherwise there will be no refunds once accepted into the event. In the event of a need for cancellation of the event, a notice of cancellation will be posted on salem400.org and on social media sites. The event will not be cancelled in the event of rain. However, the start may be delayed in case of lighting. Immediately notify vcherol@salem.com if unable to attend the event.
6. Returned Checks: The fee each time a bank returns a check is $35.00 The insufficient funds charge will be charged to the organization, group or individual submitting the parade registration. Full restoration payment to City of Salem. must be made in cash or via credit card within 1 week of notification of insufficient funds. The organization, group or individual will not be permitted to march in the Salem 400+ Heritage Parade until full payment for insufficient funds is received by City of Salem
7. Notification: Notification of acceptance to the event will be sent as soon as a decision is made, but no later than one month from the date of receipt of your application. Upon acceptance, you will receive an informational packet.

8. Code of Conduct: Please note this is meant to be a family-friendly event. Parade participants must hand items directly to observers rather than throwing them. Distribution of items is permitted only through direct hand-to-hand contact along the parade route. This event is a trash in, trash out event, if there are no trash cans nearby please hold on to waste until you can find a receptacle.

   The following are prohibited:

   • Use of confetti
   • Nudity/Sexual themes or objects
   • Written or verbal obscenities
   • Alcohol

   Each registered organization or group may display banners representing their own entity only. Additional banners promoting other organizations or groups require separate registration and payment of the appropriate fee.

9. Parking: Vehicles in the parade will be directed to their space in the O'Keefe Sports Complex parking lot. Parade participants are encouraged to park at Shetland Park (27 Congress Street) and take the complementary Salem Trolley Shuttle to the O'Keefe Sports Complex. Access to Shetland Park will shut down during the duration of the Parade. Participants are responsible for getting back to their own vehicles after the parade.