Ozark Collard Green Festival Parade
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2026 • OZARK, ALABAMA
Celebrate community, agriculture, Southern tradition and hometown pride in the 2026 Ozark Collard Green Festival Parade.
Celebrate community, agriculture, Southern tradition and hometown pride in the 2026 Ozark Collard Green Festival Parade.
Parade participation is by application and approval. Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance. Approved participants will receive their final lineup location, arrival time, unit number, and parade instructions before the event.
Who Can Participate?
The Festival welcomes a variety of approved parade participants, including:
- Decorated floats
- School marching bands
- ROTC units
- Invited military units
- Approved nonprofit, school and community walking groups
- Car Show participants and approved classic or specialty vehicles
- Elected officials and invited special guests
- Approved business or commercial entries
- Other entries approved by Festival organizers
All entries must comply with Festival parade rules, staging instructions, safety requirements and the approved parade route.
How to Enter
Complete the Parade Entry Application
Submit one application for each parade entry or participating organization.
Festival Review
The Parade team reviews the entry type, size, operational needs, safety considerations and eligibility.
Receive Approval
Approved participants receive confirmation and any additional information required before parade day.
Receive Final Lineup Instructions
Final instructions will include the assigned staging area, arrival time, unit number and other parade-day details.
FLOAT COMPETITION & JUDGING
Retain the current Float Judging section and scoring table on the website.
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Creativity and originality | 30% |
| Decorative quality | 20% |
| Use of theme | 20% |
| Use of collard green products, real or artificial | 30% |
The current website states that the President’s Award for Best Overall Float (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place ), subject to final Festival confirmation and eligibility requirements. Keep the “subject to final Festival confirmation” qualifier until the prize is formally approved. Once confirmed, the qualifier can be removed.
IMPORTANT DATES
| Date | Requirement |
|---|---|
| November 10, 2026 | Entry form, required documents, and commercial entry fee due |
| November 15, 2026 | Acceptance and preliminary lineup information emailed |
| November 21, 2026 | Participant check-in begins at 6:30 a.m.; the parade begins at 8:00 a.m. |
THEME AND ELIGIBILITY
- The 2026 Festival theme is Ease On Down the Row. Entries are encouraged to reflect agriculture, collard greens, family, community, and Southern culture.
- All entries require approval by the Ozark Collard Green Festival. Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance or a particular lineup position.
- Each unit must submit an official entry form and signed liability disclaimer. Commercial entries must also submit the required fee. Float entries must include a sketch or photograph.
- Festival management may decline an entry that creates a safety concern, conflicts with Festival standards, contains prohibited material, or lacks required documentation.
ENTRY FEES AND PAYMENT
- Commercial entries must participate as an approved float or vehicle unit and pay a $25 entry fee for 2026. Participation is FREE for school marching bands, school organizations, ROTC units, invited military units, and approved nonprofit walking groups. Invited special guests participate without an entry fee unless otherwise notified.
- Payment is due only with a complete application and must be received by November 18, 2026. Fees are nonrefundable after acceptance unless the Festival cancels the parade or rejects the application.
- Payment may be made via the festival online payment portal, business check, cashier’s check, or money order. Make checks payable to Ozark Collard Green Festival. Do not send payments through an individual’s personal payment account.
GENERAL PARADE RULES
- Festival management determines the order and placement of all units to support a safe, organized, and enjoyable parade.
- Every unit must remain staffed, supervised, and under control from check-in through departure. Participants must follow directions from parade marshals, law enforcement, fire personnel, and Festival officials.
- Walking participants must be able to complete the route safely. Approved mobility devices and reasonable disability accommodations are permitted. Contact Festival management in advance when an accommodation is needed.
- No participant may leave a moving unit to greet spectators or walk among the crowd. Violators may be removed from the parade.
- Solicitation of funds, unauthorized sales, political campaigning not approved as an entry, and distribution of unapproved materials are prohibited along the route.
- Weapons, alcohol, illegal drugs, controlled substances, open flames, fireworks, unsafe driving, reckless behavior, and threatening or obscene displays are prohibited.
- Only approved items may be distributed. Items must be handed directly to spectators by designated walkers positioned on both sides of the unit. Nothing may be thrown from a float or vehicle.
- Drivers must hold a valid driver’s license, remain with their vehicle, obey the parade pace, and maintain a safe distance from participants and spectators.
- The Festival will provide identification signs when applicable. Units may not cover or alter official numbers or signs.
- There will be no stopping on the parade route except when directed by a parade marshal or public-safety official.
FLOATS AND VEHICLES
- Float entries must provide their own tow vehicle and qualified driver.
- Proof of current vehicle liability insurance is required before the unit enters the staging area. The Festival may request a certificate of insurance or additional documentation.
- Float trailers must be at least 15 feet and no more than 30 feet long. The total height may not exceed 13 feet from the ground. Dimensions remain subject to city route-clearance and safety approval.
- Floats may be pulled only by a properly rated tractor, truck, SUV, or passenger vehicle. Hitches, safety chains, brakes, tires, taillights, and flashers must be in safe working condition.
- Riders must remain seated or stationary while the unit is moving. Children must be supervised by responsible adults.
- Floats must arrive at the assigned Downtown Ozark staging location fully decorated and inspection-ready at the time stated in the acceptance email.
- Participants may not board or exit a float without assistance or permission from a parade official. Pickup and unloading locations will be provided with the final lineup instructions.
BANDS, ROTC, MILITARY & WALKING UNITS
Retain this existing section because it provides important operational guidance. The current page states:
- School marching bands report at 7:30 a.m. to the assigned Board Street lineup area near Carroll High School, with bus parking and unloading instructions included in the acceptance email.
- ROTC units must have at least 12 members, must not stop on the route, and should be preceded by their own color guard when applicable.
- Invited military units will be escorted or directed to their assigned lineup area by Ozark Police or parade officials, with special vehicle parking identified in final instructions.
- Walking units must be approved nonprofit organizations, school groups, community groups, or invited business characters or mascots. Costumes, uniforms or coordinated attire are required when appropriate.
- Cheerleaders may march with their school bands. Other walking groups will receive a unit number and lineup location.
Car Show Participants
Registered Car Show participants may indicate their interest in participating in the Festival Parade on the Car Show registration form. Interested Car Show participants must also complete the Parade Entry Application so the Parade team can assign staging, lineup and operational instructions.
Parade participation is optional and subject to approval and final Festival safety and lineup requirements.
SPECIAL GUESTS
Retain the Special Guests section, but make clear that elected officials, dignitaries and other special guests participate by invitation or Festival approval. Their arrival, parking, vehicle and viewing instructions should be communicated directly rather than through the general public application when appropriate.
PARADE ROUTE AND PARTICIPANT INSTRUCTIONS
The parade begins at 8:00 a.m. in Downtown Ozark. The planned route proceeds from East Broad Street toward North Court Square, turns right onto East Ave N, and exits on Hwy 123. The parade is expected to conclude at approximately 9:15 to 9:30 a.m. Final turns, staging points, closures, and exit instructions remain subject to approval by the City of Ozark and public-safety officials.
- All participants must know their unit number and report to the location and time shown in the final lineup email.
- Parade marshals wearing high-visibility vests will assist participants along the route.
- Emergency lanes, intersections, fire hydrants, and designated access points must remain clear.
- Participants are responsible for arranging transportation from the assigned pickup or exit location after the parade.
- Weather, emergencies, construction, or public-safety needs may require route, time, or lineup changes.
GENERAL PARTICIPANT EXPECTATIONS
- Participants must follow all instructions from Festival, Parade, Safety, Security, Logistics and law-enforcement personnel.
- Entries must remain in their assigned lineup position and follow the approved parade route.
- Participants are responsible for the safety and supervision of their own unit, vehicles, equipment and participants.
- Unsafe conduct or an entry that materially differs from what was approved may be refused or removed.
- Final staging areas, arrival times and unit numbers will be communicated to approved participants.
- Weather, safety, traffic, governmental requirements or operational needs may require changes to the route, lineup or schedule.
Ready to Join the Parade?
Bring your organization, school, float, vehicle or community group and be part of the 2026 Ozark Collard Green Festival Parade.
Questions: info@ozarkcollardgreenfestival.com