2025 CHRISTMAS PARADE APPLICATION
Parade Date: Sunday, November 30th, 3 p.m.

Thank you for your interest in the 2025 Uptown Shelby Christmas Parade! This year's parade will be Sunday, November 30th at 3 p.m. Please read the following information before you begin. If you have any questions, please contact Executive Director Carly Bostic at 704-472-0246 or cbostic@uptownshelby.com.

ENTRY CATEGORY PRICING

Only the following business and organization types receive free entry:

City of Shelby Government or Department (i.e. City Council, Police, Fire)
Cleveland County Commissioners and Public Safety (i.e. Commissioners, Sherriff's Department, EMS, Fire)
School marching bands

These organizations qualify for a reduced-rate entry cost of $50.00:

Businesses within Uptown Shelby District

These organizations qualify for a reduced-rate entry cost of $75.00:

Non-Profit Organizations
Schools and Youth Organizations

The following must pay the application fee of $150.00:

Businesses and organizations outside of the Uptown Shelby MSD
Political candidates

Please note: The Uptown Shelby Christmas Parade is planned, organized and produced by the Uptown Shelby Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, not the City of Shelby. Application fees are set by our Board of Directors to cover expenses associated with the Christmas Parade and to fund holiday activities in Uptown Shelby. Application fees are considered a donation and are therefore not refundable, including in the event of cancellation due to inclement weather as determined by our organization's Board of Directors.

The 2025 Shelby Christmas Parade applications will close on 11/07/25,

Applicant Information

Business, Group or Organization Name

Primary Contact's First Name

Primary Contact's Last Name

Contact's Email (This is the only email address that will receive any information about the parade process.)

Multi-line address

Country/Region

Address

City

Zip / Postal code

Phone

(You may need to type the number with a +1 before the area code, e.g., +17044843100)

Entry category

City of Shelby Government or Department ($0) This applies for the following categories: City Council/Police/Fire

Cleveland County Commissioners & Public Safety ($0): This applies for the following categories: Commissioners/ Sheriff's Department/EMS/Fire

School Marching Band ($0)

Business within Uptown Shelby District ($50)

Nonprofit Organization ($75)

Business or Organization Outside Uptown Shelby District/Political Candidate ($150)

Please provide the length and width, along with a description of your parade entry. This is to ensure adequate planning for the lineup process.

Please note that schools and government offices outside the City of Shelby are classified as a "Business outside Uptown Shelby District" for the purposes of this application.

Space use per registered applicant is a max of 40 feet wide by 80 feet long, which comfortably fits one tractor trailer. If additional space is required, there is an additional $50 charge.

I require additional space in the parade (+$50)

If you require more than two spaces please contact Carly Bostic at cbostic@uptownshelby.com

If you are interested in a float please contact Carly Bostic at cbostic@uptownshelby.com

These floats are provided by Cline's Floats Inc in partnership with the Uptown Shelby Association. All float reservations must be made through the Uptown Shelby Association.

Float Price: $800
Generator: additional $75
Music: Additional $75

I am interested in being a sponsor.

Statements on parade safety - please read and initial:

Any vehicle of any kind in the 2025 Uptown Shelby Christmas Parade must have up-to-date registration and liability insurance information. The Uptown Shelby Association requests a copy of license of the vehicle's designated driver, which will be filed along with this application. Any vehicles found to be outside of compliance with the registration and insurance requirement will be removed from the parade and a refund will not be provided.

Please attach these items below or email to cbostic@uptownshelby.com by Thursday, October 30th.

File upload

Initial below

The Primary Contact as listed in the first section of this application is required to inform all participants within their organization of any information shared to them by the Uptown Shelby Association, including maps, entry points, line-up positions, etc. To ensure the safety of our volunteers, staff, and parade participants, barricades will not be moved from any area once in place. Late arrivals to the parade may be denied entry.

Initial below

Throwing items of any kind from a float or parade unit is strictly forbidden. Parade officials are authorized to remove participants and units from the parade for violating this rule. Candy, swag, and other items may be shared with the audience by walking up to the sidewalk and handing items out directly to audience members. This rule is in place to prevent parade attendees, especially children, from entering the street and/or crossing into the path of moving vehicles.

Initial below

The Primary Contact as listed in the first section of this application is fully responsible for maintaining order and supervising all parties involved with their entry, including but not limited to walking participants, float riders, children and parents or guardians of children, animals, and others. The Primary Contact is responsible for ensuring that all trash is properly disposed of from their position in the line-up and dispersal areas. Conduct on the part of any unit or individuals that may embarrass or otherwise threaten the safety of the Uptown Shelby Association, its volunteers and staff, and parade audience members will not be tolerated and may affect future participation in the Uptown Shelby Christmas Parade.

Initial below

The Primary Contact is responsible for ensuring the cleanup of any animal waste produced by animals in your party. Large animals including horses and other livestock must be diapered. Pets, such as dogs, must have their waste immediately removed from the lineup area and parade route at the time of elimination. Undiapered animals and/or animal waste left in the lineup area or on the parade route can and will result in removal from this and future parades organized by the Uptown Shelby Association.

Initial Below

With a max of 150 words, please provide a brief bio of your parade entry. This will be used for the live broadcasting segment of the parade.

Please select all that apply:

Animals

Music or Band

Dance Groups

None of the Above

Application fee payment

If there is no fee associated with your entry category, please select $0.

If you have added additional space, please use the custom amount box to add the $50 additional space fee to your total cost (i.e., $150 + $50 = $200, so write '$200' in the Custom amount box).

We are able to accept most major credit and debit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, and Discover, as well as PayPal payments, and checks brought directly to our office.

Thank you for participating in the 2025 Uptown Shelby Christmas Parade. Your participation provides support so that we can ensure the mission and vision can continue to thrive in Uptown Shelby. The Uptown Shelby Association is a non-profit supported by grants and fundraisers.