Parade Terms and Conditions

Please read all terms and conditions as some items have changed.

​Per KPD guidelines, all groups must be registered to be a part of the Knox Pride Parade (hereinafter referred to as “the Parade”). Please read all of this information carefully and email parade@knoxpride.com if you have any questions.

We ask each group to designate one representative to be their contact person. This person will receive all correspondence from us and will check in at the Parade line up. Participating groups (hereinafter referred to as “Participant(s)”) can consist of walkers, bicycles, cars/trucks, motorcycles/scooters, carriages or floats. Each group must have a visible readable sign, banner, logo with the group name listed so KPD and the Parade Staff can visibly see. There is a registration donation which is used to cover the costs of the parade.

East Tennessee Equality Council (ETEC) DBA Knox Pride (hereinafter referred to as the Organization) reserves the right to refuse anyone participation at this event and does not guarantee your success at this event.

​Participants agree to comply with the following terms and conditions. Violations of these terms and conditions can be cause for removal from the Parade without refund and can result in being expelled from future events.

No Third Party Sponsorships: Each entry affirms that only the organization/group named in the Parade Application Form will be the organization/group participating on the day of the Parade. Each entry affirms that it is not sponsored by or will not display any sponsors’ or advertisers’ logos, advertisements, trademarks, products, or promotional materials without prior written approval of the Organization.

Signs/Banners/Logos: Each entry affirms that only the organization/group named in the Parade Application Form will be the organization/group participating on the day of the parade and no other organization or entity is promoted on a banner/sign/logo without written permission from the Organization.

Trademarks: The Organization reserves the right to the use of its logos, name, marks, symbols, and other intellectual property. Any use of these without expressed written permission is a violation of the agreement with the Organization and could result in expulsion from the event.

Placement: The Organization reserves the sole right to place participants in any position in the parade it deems fit. The Organization will try to accommodate requests by participants but makes no guarantees. If you have a special requirement, please contact paradeinfo@knoxpride.com. All groups must meet approval by KPD 30 minutes before the Parade rolls.

Check-in: Participants will be allowed to check in between the hours of 4:00pm and 5:30pm on Parade day. All groups must check in to receive your placement number. Participants not present at 5:30pm will not be allowed to be in the Parade. We understand part of your group may arrive later than 5:30pm, however the designated person must check the group in prior to this time. All participants must be in line by 6:30pm to participate.

Line up Numbering: At check in, you will receive a section color and number. That is the section you are to line up in. Actual positions in the section will be based on check in time. If your group includes a vehicle, you will be directed on where to park upon arrival. Do not block the lane of traffic until told to do so or your vehicle will be towed.

Vehicles: All motor vehicles in the parade must be properly registered and insured on the day of the parade and all drivers must have a valid legal driver’s license and have unobstructed visibility. This will be verified on the day of the parade. Drivers and all passengers will be required to sign a liability release form. Failure to provide a valid license, proof of insurance or to sign the release form is grounds for removal from the parade. If you have not registered a vehicle by the close of registration, you will not be allowed to have a vehicle in the parade.

Floats: The only floats allowed in the parade are those that are available via the registration page. Floats and decorated vehicles must have a fire extinguisher on board at all times. Any electrical generators on floats must be properly secured to the float and pass all fire and safety checks. The Parade fire inspection check will take place at 6:00pm. Participants who do not pass all inspections may be removed from the parade.

Harnesses/Handholds: All passengers standing or sitting on the float must be wearing a safety belt or have handholds or other support while the float is moving. No riders will be allowed to ride on the edge of the float. Any float with riders or articles hanging over the edge, before or during the parade will be subject to removal from the line of march. All riders must be on the float by 6:30pm.

Throwing Objects: The City Of Knoxville prohibits tossing of items toward the spectators. No flowers, candy, trinkets, leaflets, coupons or samples of any kind are to be tossed out to the spectators. They can be handed out only. Furthermore, the City of Knoxville prohibits the following items along the parade route:

  • glass bottles

  • balloons filled with anything other than air or helium

  • body armor

  • bricks

  • stones

  • projectile launching equipment (including water guns)

  • Mask or operational gas masks

The Parade Staff must approve all items that will be passed out.

Prior Approval Required: None of the following items may be handed out or be part of the Parade contingent without prior written approval of Knox Pride:

  • live animals (excluding carriages)

  • confetti

  • silly string

  • air horns

  • microphones

  • mega phones.

Sound: Sound Systems are encouraged in the Parade; however the music should be of good taste. No microphones or megaphones may be near the sound system or on the vehicle during the Parade. Parade Staff will check each system before the Parade rolls. Any microphones or megaphones will be confiscated until after the Parade. Per City Guidelines, anyone caught violating this during the Parade will be subject to a $300 fine and removal from the Parade. The Organization is not responsible for any lost or damaged microphones or megaphones confiscated by Parade Staff.

Conduct: All groups shall conduct themselves at all times in accordance with normal standards of decorum and good taste. The Organization reserves the right to eject anyone violating those standards. The consumption or possession of alcoholic or illegal substances is forbidden by anyone anywhere throughout the Parade or on any float or vehicle or on the person of any Participant. All Participants must show respect for all ages, sexes, sexual orientations, races, creeds and cultures of both the Knoxville Community as well as others attending the Parade.

Flow: All Participants in the Parade are to keep up with the lead vehicle. Under no circumstances should a group stop the Parade in front of a particular venue. There will be one stop designated by the lead vehicle; this is the Official Viewing Area for the Parade. The Organization reserves the right to eject from the Parade anyone violating those standards. Please maintain distance of 25 feet (2car lengths) from the unit in front of you. Spacing between each unit will be enforced by Parade Staff; units are required to close the gap between itself and the preceding units when directed by Parade Staff. If you cannot keep pace with the units ahead of you, your unit will be asked to leave the Parade route.

Political Statements: Any political statements or endorsements made by Participants in the Parade are not the opinions of the Organization or the Parade Staff. Political candidates and office holders are invited to participate in the Parade.

City Ordinances & Laws: The Knoxville Police Department, who will be present and managing security, traffic and crowd control along the Parade route, are responsible for enforcing all applicable state laws and local ordinances during all Knox Pride events. Such statutes may include, but are not limited to public decency, alcohol, controlled substances, public safety, and standard vehicle insurance requirements. No alcoholic beverages and/or consumption are permitted along the Parade route by Participants, or spectators.

Release and Indemnity: All Participants must sign a release and indemnity statement agreeing to indemnify the Organization and its directors, employees, and/or volunteers and hold them harmless with respect to all action or incidents arising out of the participant’s involvement with/in the Parade, Festival, or other related activities.

Disclaimer: The Organization reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to remove any and all individuals, groups, vehicles, floats, motorcycles, or participants of any kind from entering or continuing along the Parade route for any reason, including but not limited to, safety, perceived condition, failure to comply with Parade Staff instructions, any action(s) that may cause a delay in the Parade, and/or any violation of the rules and regulations set out in this document.

Restrictions: No items may be sold at the Parade line up without written consent of the Organization.

Live Animals: You must have prior written permission from the Organization to include live animals in your contingent (excluding carriages). All animals must be on a leash or properly restrained. All contingents must follow safety codes for the City of Knoxville. Participants are responsible for cleaning up after your animals. Any obvious animal abuse will be reported to authorities and will result in removal from the Parade.

Limitation of Liability, Indemnity, and Release: Neither the East Tennessee Equality Council (ETEC), Knox Pride Organization., nor any of its officers, agents, volunteers, employees, independent contractors, or other representatives shall be held liable for, and they are expressly released from, liability for any damages, loss, harm, or injury to the person or property of participant or any of its officers, agents, volunteers, employees, independent contractors, or other representatives resulting from theft, fire, water, accident, or any other cause. Participants shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless East Tennessee Equality Council (ETEC), Knox Pride Organization., and any of its officers, agents, volunteers, employees, independent contractors, or other representatives (i) from and against any and all claims arising from any acts, failures to act, or negligence of participant or any of its officers, agents, volunteers, employees, independent contractors, or other representatives, (ii) from and against any claims arising from breach of, or default in the performance of any obligation on participant’s part to be performed under, these terms and conditions and, (iii) form and against all costs, attorney’s fees, expenses, and liabilities incurred in the defense of any such claim or any action. Under no circumstances shall East Tennessee Equality Council (ETEC), Knox Pride Organization. be liable for consequential, indirect, special, or punitive damages of any kind, whether foreseeable or unforeseeable, whether based upon lost goodwill, lost profits, loss of use of the booth, or other-wise, and whether arising out of breach of any express or implied warranty, breach of contract, negligence, misrepresentation, strict liability or otherwise. East Tennessee Equality Council (ETEC),

Knox Pride Organization does not grant permission to any individual or organization to sell rider spots in the Knox Pride Parade. Under no circumstances will an individual or organization be allowed to profit off of the Knox Pride Parade, a community event designed solely to raise awareness. Anyone in violation of this will be denied entry into the parade.

East Tennessee Equality Council (ETEC), Knox Pride Organization is run entirely by volunteers: Please help us by remembering that we are here to put our community’s best foot forward. Please keep your parade entry in good taste. This event is a fun event but it requires a year of careful planning. Please adhere to our rules and deadlines. They help us make the event great