Registration for the 2013 parade is now open!

To sign up for the 2013 parade you can either use the Parade Registration database in the Yahoo Group (must be a Yahoo member to use this database) or you can email your entry to dc_parade@dragoncon.org.

If using the database option please follow the instructions below:

• Follow this link (If you are not already signed into your Yahoo account a pop-up box will appear prompting you to login.)
• Once logged in you should now be in the parade sign up database
• Click the "Add Record" button in the top right corner of the database page
• Fill in all of your information
• Click "Add Record" button at the bottom of the form
• You should now be able to find your entry on the database

If signing up via email please include the following information:

• Contact Name
• Contact Email
• Costume Description
• Number of people you are registering
• Will you have a vehicle in the Parade? (Please include description)
• Planning any performance pieces along the route?
• Using any music? Live or pre-recorded?
• Carrying any flags or banners? (Please include description)
• If others can join your group, how do they contact you?

Please also check out our parade page for further information.

Parade Policies

IMPORTANT Guidelines and Reminders for Everyone Involved With the Dragon*Con Parade

1.   You must be a member of Dragon*Con to participate in the parade.  Convention badges must be worn and visible on your costume parade morning. (Some exceptions, approved prior to the parade, may apply.)

2.   Children 12 years of age and under participating in the parade must be accompanied by an adult.

3.   Use common sense and show courtesy for all involved with the parade.

4.   Show up on time and be patient during staging/line-up.  Be ready to move into place when your parade section is called on deck.

5.   Prepare yourself for the weather (bring water, don't forget sunscreen, etc.).

6.   We are rated PG/PG-13.  No costume is no costume! Remember the parade is held on city streets - public safety and decency laws will apply. Watching the parade is open to the public, small children and other impressionable beings will be along the route.  Additionally street/everyday clothing, unless it's identifiable with a character, isn't appropriate for the parade. Please choose your costume wisely.

7.   Throws/tosses (candy, beads, coins for instance) and any other items that may cause street litter are NOT permitted. Fliers/flyer, coupon and/or leaflet distribution is NOT permitted under any circumstances.

8.   Advertising and/or promotions of commercial enterprises is strictly prohibited in the parade unless approved by Dragon*Con Senior Management prior to the parade. Banners and flags are welcomed in the parade – as long as they do not contain advertising or promotional information, this includes information regarding other fan conventions. Fan organizations/groups, clubs, D*C programming tracks, etc. are encouraged to carry to their banners.

9. No flash pots, explosive devices, fireworks, loaded devices of any kind, or use of open flames. Absolutely not allowed, period.

10. Non-working or prop weapons (as part of your costume) are OK.  Any weapon carried at Dragon*Con, including in the parade, must be approved and peace bonded by Dragon*Con Security. Please take care of this BEFORE Parade morning to avoid potential confiscation of questionable items. The Atlanta PD and Dragon*Con Security escort the parade and may make swift response to any action they deem inappropriate or threatening to the public. Think about how you brandish your weapon.

11. At this time, our permit does not allow for live animals to walk along/on the streets of the parade route with the exception of service animals.

12. If you have a question about whether or not something will be allowed - ask beforehand!!

13. The Dragon*Con Parade is a politics-free zone and not the appropriate venue for political actions or activities that impact our everyday lives outside of Dragon*Con. 

14. Have fun!  Have fun!  Have Fun! We reserve the right to remove any person(s), vehicle(s), or prop(s) (including banners, flags or signs, and weapons) from the parade, at any time and without prior warning, that is deemed offensive, potentially dangerous or otherwise inappropriate, or that do not comply with the above stated guidelines for the event.

Parade FAQ

When and where is the D*C Parade held?

The parade goes forward on Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta GA, rain or shine, on Saturday morning during the convention (Labor Day Weekend). Start time is 10:00 AM. The parade starts at Peachtree St and Auburn Ave, about 5 blocks south of the Hyatt Regency's front entrance. The route follows Peachtree St north to Baker St (at the Hyatt Regency) and then continues east on Baker St to Courtland Ave and ends at the Marriott Marquis' back entrance. 

Who can march in the D*C Parade?

You must be a member of Dragon*Con to participate in the parade. Costumes are required. You must wear your D*C badge during the parade.   

Do I have to be a member of Dragon*Con to watch the parade?      

No. Watching the D*C Parade is open to the public at no charge.

How do I sign-up to be in the parade?

Registering for the parade can be done using one of two methods: using the "2013 D*C Parade Registration" database in the Yahoo group (opens 2/15/2013) or by completing the form on the website under “Participate.” 

We need basic information: how many people are you registering; what kind of costumes are planned; will you have a vehicle or float in the parade; are you planning any live performances (singing, dancing, playing live or pre-recorded music, demonstrations of martial skills, baton twirling, cadence calling, etc.) and if you'll be carrying banners or flags.  Do let us know if you're planning something fantastically showy or unusual along the route.  The onlookers love surprises but we do not.

Whether using the database or web form, please be sure your email contact info is correct. It's the only way we have to get your confirmation to you.

Please use only ONE of the above described methods to register for the parade.

You mentioned how many people I'm registering.  What does that mean?

You can register one (yourself) or more. If you register 2 or more people, you are a "group" and the person registering becomes the "group contact" unless otherwise noted. Individual members within a group do not need to and in fact should NOT register themselves once the group has. If you signed up to march in a fan forum (e.g., Prydon Academy, Dark Hunters/Kenyon's Minions, the 501st, or through a D*C Programming Track), you do NOT need to register yourself individually.

The group contact is responsible for relaying parade info to the other members of their group and picking up parade ribbons for all.  We love group contacts and very much appreciate the extra effort and coordination involved!

I'd like to march with other people but am not a member of any fan groups, do I need to find and join one?

The parade is structured so that all like costumed participants march together in the same section, so you won't be alone. Parade sections usually have multiple components made up of various organized fan groups and individuals who are not members of any group in the parade.  Please remember to ask any organized group within the parade section you're assigned to if you can join them before doing so. Some groups welcome all comers, others have membership and/or costume requirements that must be met beforehand.  In either case, you are still part of the larger section and will be marching there.

The parade is a great place to meet people who share your interests - feel free to post a message in the Yahoo group looking for others who might be planning on wearing a similar costume. Also, check the "2013 D*C Parade Registration" database for groups that have listed their information for interested individuals.

Is there a deadline to register to be in the parade?

Yes.  Everyone interested in marching should sign up no later than AUGUST 1, 2013. We do this so we know what to expect as far as the number of people and vehicles will be in the parade, who is planning live performances and other necessary logistical information.  Then we can design the parade and our staging area requirements and get confirmations with critical participant information back to you before the convention.

What if I missed the deadline?

Depending on how many people and vehicles were registered before con, there may be an opportunity to sign up at the convention. With the recent growth in parade participation, we have capped participation and that number has been met before the deadline to register meaning NO at con sign ups. Plan accordingly as the 2013 parade may be full before con as well.

What if I'm not sure of all my information yet, like what kind of costume or how many will be marching in my group?               

Estimate as best you can - give it your best shot and go ahead and sign-up.
Changes can be made to your information any time prior to parade morning.           

What if I need to make a change in my parade registration information?
              
Let us know there's a change. Email Jan Price with details on the change.

Please note the closer we get to con, the less likely you'll see your requested change shown in the database here.  Rest assured though - we keep a separate "master" database that merges info from the yahoo database and email sign ups.        

Are children allowed to participate in the parade?

Yes however children 12 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult.

What kinds of costumes are allowed?

The parade represents all of the wonderful things that happen at Dragon*Con.  Costumes from all fandoms are welcome. Just remember the parade is held on city streets - public safety and decency laws will apply. Watching the parade is open to the public, small children and other impressionable beings will be along the route. Additionally street/everyday clothing, unless it's identifiable with a character, isn't appropriate for the parade. Please choose your costume wisely.             

What about weapons that are part of my costume?           

Non-working or prop weapons are OK. Any weapon carried at Dragon*Con, including in the parade, must be approved and peace bonded by Dragon*Con Security. Please take care of this BEFORE parade morning to avoid potential confiscation of questionable items. The Atlanta PD and Dragon*Con Security escort the parade and may make swift response to any action they deem inappropriate or threatening to the public. Think about how you brandish your weapon.            

I'd like to give away something to the onlookers, is it allowed?      

Yes, within limits.  Small items such as toys, beads, candies or other tokens may be handed out.  That means they must be placed directly into the hands of the recipient - no flinging or tossing into the general crowds. We do NOT allow any paper items such as cards, flyers, brochures, posters, etc. to be given away along the route. Also prohibited is giving away any items with advertising or promotional messages/information on them without prior and express written permission from Dragon*Con's senior management team. This prohibition extends to any "street teams" working the parade.

Is there anything else that isn't allowed in the parade?    

Obviously anything that violates laws or that can endanger the public is not allowed. This includes items such as flash pots, explosive devices, fireworks, loaded devices of any kind, and the use of open flames. This prohibition also extends to personal behavior and costuming choices. At this time, our parade permit does not allow for live animals in the parade with the exception of service animals.

No advertising or promotion of any commercial enterprises is allowed without the prior approval of Dragon*Con Senior Management.

Also, please remember that the Dragon*Con Parade is a politics-free zone and not the appropriate venue for political actions or activities that impact our everyday lives outside of Dragon*Con).

We reserve the right to remove any person(s), vehicle(s), or prop (including banners, flags or signs, and weapons) from the parade, at any time, that is deemed offensive, potentially dangerous or otherwise inappropriate for the event.          

Okay, I've signed up for the parade, what's next?             

Once you've signed up, you're all set for the parade. About a week before con, you should receive a confirmation email with all of the final details you'll need to participate in the parade. Meanwhile, stay tuned to the Yahoo group for updates and ideas.         

What happens parade morning? How are things organized?

Participants and vehicles gather at our staging area in Woodruff Park at the times specified in your confirmation emails.  We make every effort to get you into place, in parade order, as quickly and easily as possible. Even though it will be crowded and noisy and look confusing at times, it's actually a lot of fun and a very exciting place to be. Please be patient and alert.   

Once the parade starts to move onto Peachtree St, groups are called forward and vehicles are integrated with marchers.  Remember to please stay on the sidewalks and out of the streets - do not gather around vehicles whether they are part of your group or not - until your section gets instructions to move.

The energy level intensifies once we hit the street!  Thousands and thousands and thousands of people are anxiously awaiting to be amazed and delighted by everything your participation makes wonderful about our parade. 

The parade usually ends by 11:45 AM when the last person leaving Woodruff Park gets to the Marriott Marquis.

I have a question that hasn't been answered in this FAQ. How do I get an answer?       

If you have any questions please contact Jan Price. We welcome constructive criticism, suggestions for additions to the parade, and ways to make the experience more pleasant for everyone. Let us know!

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