The City of Dublin strives to feature the best entries for the Greenest, Grandest Parade—the City of Dublin St. Patrick's Day Parade! We achieve this by ensuring that all parade units follow the parade's theme: the Greenest, Grandest Parade.

All parade units are asked to adhere to this theme. If you are unable to create a high-entertainment-value entry highlighting the Greenest, Grandest Parade theme, parade partnerships are available.

Entertainment value is defined as the creative use of color, music, dance, costumes, floats, and novelty or antique vehicles that generate excitement and capture the attention of our guests. We encourage all parade units to embrace the theme and make their entry as green and grand as possible.

• City of Dublin 2026 Parade Rules & Regulations
  
  Parade marshals/gap monitors will be positioned along the parade route to ensure the safety of parade participants and guests, as well as to keep spacing between units consistent.
  
  1. A great time must be had by all!
  2. The applicant shall be responsible for the conduct of all of its participants and agrees to notify ALL participants of these rules and regulations.
  3. All items must be given HAND-TO-HAND at the curb by walking along the parade route next to spectators. It is extremely dangerous for spectators to run into the street to collect candy or other handouts. No throwing is permitted. The City reserves the right to inspect and approve any items (other than fliers or other printed paper products) distributed during the parade.
  4. May not exceed 30 participants per unit.
  5. Noise levels may not exceed a level deemed appropriate by the City of Dublin. The sound levels will be monitored throughout the event and must cease or be lowered when they become excessive, at the sole discretion of the Event Staff.
  6. Parade Units must comply with the parade theme and meet the guidelines for entertainment values. The Parade Unit may have one (1) 3’ x 8’ banner and (2) 2’ x 2’ signs, which include the participant logo/name.
  7. Drivers and all vehicles participating in the parade must have insurance as required by the State of Ohio. Drivers must also possess a valid driver’s license. Standing and/or sitting on the roof of vehicles is not permitted.
  8. Vehicle owner must follow up with their vehicle’s manufacturer or the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (https://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/) to confirm that the vehicle entered in the parade has not been identified to have mechanical defects. The owner warrants that the vehicle is in sound mechanical condition with no known defects or safety concerns.
  9. Parade units must line up in the space they have been assigned.
  10. Parade units must be less than 13' 6” in height.
  11. During the parade, the driver must maintain 30’ (2-3 car lengths) from the preceding unit.
  12. No one may step on or off a float or any motorized unit until it is at a COMPLETE stop.
  13. All decorative materials should be flame-retardant. The use of open flames is PROHIBITED. All floats are required to have a fire extinguisher on board.
  14. No alcohol or glassware is allowed in the parade. Bottled water and cans of soda are permitted.
  15. Animals, including pets, must be listed on the parade application and approved in advance in order to participate in the parade. All animals must have up-to-date vaccinations, be in good health, and be able to cope with crowds and other animals. The City of Dublin is NOT responsible for cleaning up after animals. You must provide someone to clean up immediately, if necessary, after the animal. Violators of this rule will be removed from the parade.
  16. No parade units will be permitted to discharge firecrackers, caps, blanks, incendiary devices or other equipment that might startle or excite animals in the parade.
  17. Continuous blowing of loud horns or sirens is PROHIBITED.
  18. Any person riding a bicycle, wearing rollerblades, using a skateboard or other wheeled apparatus must wear a helmet.
  19. The parade begins promptly at 11 a.m. Due to the size of the parade and traffic limitations, motorized units should be in position by 9:30 a.m. Walking units should be in position by 10 a.m. If units are not in place by the time they are assigned, they may lose their spot in the parade.
  20. Parade units must keep moving forward, and walking participants must keep pace with their parade unit.
  21. At the end of the parade, if a motorized unit needs to stop to drop-off or pick-up people, the unit must pull into the designated area on the left of High Street near Waterford. All other motorized units must continue moving either south on High Street or return to Metro Center via Waterford Drive. Walking units may disperse at Waterford Drive.
  22. Plan to have a pre-arranged pick-up spot for parade participants at Metro Place North and Metro Place South. A police officer is stationed at the Information Tent on Metro Place North to assist with lost children.
  23. The City of Dublin has the right to remove any parade unit or participant at its sole discretion.

Entertainment value is defined as the well-designed use of color, music, dance, costume, floats and novelty/antique vehicles that generate excitement and attract and hold the attention of our guests. We strive to have the Greenest, Grandest Parade for the City of Dublin St. Patrick's Day Parade. We ask that all parade units adhere to the theme of Greenest, Grandest Parade. In the event that you are unable to create a St. Patrick's Day, Greenest, Grandest themed parade entry, we have parade partnerships available.