2023 Participant Information

(Subject to minor change)

Route: The parade route will be east to west down Main Street ONLY (New Rand Road to Benson Road/Highway 50).


Staging on December 2nd

Staging will occur at the east end of Main Street down New Rand Road and Carroll Drive.

2:10pm Vehicle and Float Staging on Carroll and New Rand (Vehicles and Floats Only)

  • Vehicles and Floats will stage first to reduce vehicle traffic on staging roads while participants are staging at 3:00.

  • Vehicles and Floats MUST enter New Rand or Carroll from Highway 70 so they are facing North towards main street.

  • All Vehicles will need their vehicle information and registration and driver information confirmed.

    • All drivers must be over 30 years of age and have a valid driver’s license.

    • All vehicles must have current registration.

    • No vehicles over 30 years old are allowed to pull floats.

    • More information will follow regarding vehicle and driver preparedness for participants with vehicles and floats. (Overview can be found here)

3:00pm Drop Off Time and Staging for Participants (Walkers, Bands, Riders of Floats/Trailers)

  • The Drop Off Zone for participants is on Main Street between Bagwell St and New Rand Rd. DO NOT DROP OFF on Highway 70, it is extremely dangerous.

  • It is strongly encouraged that you enter the Drop Off Zone from Main Street Traveling West to East (toward New Rand Road).

  • See Map below for specific staging spot information.

3:30pm Participants should be in their staging locations no later than 3:30pm

4:30pm Parade Starts

Staging Chart & Staging Map/Drop Off Map


Handouts and Candy

  • Safety is our number one priority.

  • Candy thrown at distance and candy that ends up in the parade route poses a danger to children who may attempt to retrieve candy from the road and near vehicles.

  • Candy may only be distributed by walkers, not thrown from floats or vehicles.

  • Participant groups should designate several responsible walking individuals to distribute candy and hand out materials (postcards, flyers, etc.)

End of Parade Disembarking and Pick-up

  • The parade route will end on the west end of Main Street at Fire Station One.

  • Participants can disembark in the Disembark Zone (in Red) after Fire Station One.

  • Participant vehicles may turn freely right or left on Benson Road/Highway 50 to exit the parade area. Garner Police will be at this intersection to assist in stopping traffic.

  • Participant Vehicles and Floats needing to prep for road readiness, may cross directly over 50 into Bryan Woods Apartments to prepare their vehicle/floats.

  • Participants on foot and/or meeting parents may also walk to a designated are around fire station to watch remainder of parade.

  • There is no vehicle direct vehicle pick-up at the fire station.