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Please Read these Frequently Asked Questions as 99% will be answered, with Contact-Us form below



Q: How much is the entry fee?
A: There is no entry fee.

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Q: Did you receive my application?

A: If you received an email saying we received your application, then we received your application. Before you call or email us, please click on this link <Processed> Tab, and check to see if your application is there. The instructions will tell you how to expand the Group or Company Name and scroll through all of the received applications.  The table is in reverse order of entry, that is the last application is on top.  You might have to scroll thru a few pages to get to the date of your application.  We encourage you to scroll thru the entire list before contacting us.  Thank you. 

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Q: I can't submit my Application. What is wrong?

First, you must fill out every field, they are all required, including a backup email address.

Second, you must read the rules and check a box that you will follow all of these rules.

Third, some browsers do not allow third party apps (the 123FormBuilder application form) to be run from your browser. Check the security settings to change that option. 

Fourth, try a different browser.

Fifth, try a different computer.

Sixth, people have had success using their smart phone to submit their application.

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Q: What if I am dropping off a parade participant?

A: First, please print out the Parade_Order_Number for your float. 

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Arrival & Staging

• Please arrive between 8:30 - 9:15 AM. Early arrivals create safety issues.

• Late arrivals will be placed at the end of the parade if space allows.

• Parade begins at 10:00 AM.

• Floats #21–80: Enter Western Ave. from Westleigh Rd. (south), turn left onto Vine St., then continue to Oakwood Ave. Follow officials in safety vests to your assigned staging area.

• Print and display your Parade Order Number on the passenger-side windshield before arriving.

• Deerpath, Illinois, Western Ave and Parade Route roads closed to traffic at 9:30 AM, so arrive early.

 

Drop-Off (Adults/Non-Children)

• Temporary drop-off is available on Illinois Rd. between Green Bay Rd. and Oakwood Ave. until 9:30 AM.

• No parking in the drop-off zone.

• After drop-off, use designated exit routes and park in an approved city lot (City Hall lot is not available).

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Drop-Off (Children)

• Parents/guardians must park and walk children to their float.

• Use Greenbay Rd to Illinois Rd., turn left on Bank Lane, then a right into the parking lot. Park, and walk to Oakwood Ave. Use the Parade Order Number to find your float.

• Exit the lot before 9:30 AM using posted traffic directions.

 

Designated Exit Route

• Go East Only - on Illinois or Deerpath. Turn right on Western to go south, or Left on McKinley Rd.  Deerpath, Illinois, Western Ave and Parade Route Roads closed to traffic at 9:30 AM, so arrive early.

 

Parking

• Gorton Center (400 E. Illinois Rd.)

• Train Station Lots (entrances just west of McKinley Rd.)

• Any City parking lot except City Hall.​

• North Shore Lot (west of Gorton on McKinley Rd.)

 

Child Pickup

• At the end of the parade, an adult from each organization must escort children to Parade Headquarters in West Park (southeast of the tennis courts) and remain until every child is picked up.

• Suggested parking for pickup:

• West Park

• QUARTA City Lot (771 N. Oakwood Ave.)

• Given the congestion at the end of the parade, the best place to park would West Park or the QUARTA City Lot located 771 N. Oakwood Ave. between Westminster and Wisconsin Ave, a short walk to the Parade Headquarters.

 

If you park your car before the Parade and want to stay for the Carnival, you can also park in West Park where the Carnival is being held. More information can be found using this tab <Map and Parade Order>, or http://www.lakeforestday.com/parade-map. Thank you for your cooperation.

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Q: Where will my group line up?
A: We try and place young children and our older participants towards the front of the parade. You will receive an email on or before the Monday before the parade with your Parade_Order_Number. You can also check this tab <Map and Parade Order> or go to this website: http://www.lakeforestday.com/parade-map soon after JULY 31st after 3pm.

 

Q: Can I have music on my float?

A: Yes, we encourage participants to have music.  However, you must indicate that you will have music on the parade application by selecting YES in the box next to music.  It is important to do this, to make sure two floats with music are not next to each other.

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Staging Assembly Area:

• Please arrive between 8:30 - 9:15 AM. Early arrivals create safety issues.

• Late arrivals will be placed at the end of the parade if space allows.

All vehicles that are in the parade must enter Western Ave at Westleigh Rd from the South and proceed North to Vine St, turn left on Vine St and continue West to Oakwood Ave.  Float Staging will be on Oakwood Ave. You will be directed to your assigned area. The parade will form at 8:30 A.M.  SEE MAP. Please arrive at the staging area before 9:30 A.M. Any entry arriving after 9:45 A.M. will be positioned at the rear of the parade if room is available.

 

There will be an official wearing a traffic vest located in your assigned area. Please drive slowly and carefully thru the staging area to permit safe parade assembly and execution.

Special notice to all parade entrants/participants: During previous years some parade entrants and/or float vehicles have arrived prior to the designated assembly time - some over two hours before start of the parade. Please ensure that your parade personnel/drivers do not arrive before 8:30 A.M.  We need 100% cooperation in this vital area - it is a matter of public safety. 

 

Parade Route:

 

All vehicles that are in the parade must enter Western Ave at Westleigh Rd from the South and proceed North to Vine St, turn left on Vine St and continue West to Oakwood Ave.  You will be directed to your assigned area. The parade will form at 8:30 A.M.  SEE MAP. Please arrive at the staging area between 8:30 - 9:15. Any entry arriving after 9:30 A.M. will be positioned at the rear of the parade if room is available.

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If you have questions we did not answer or if we can be of assistance, please call Post 264 at                            , and leave a message. Someone will call you back as soon as they can. You can also use the form below to send an email message to the Parade Coordinator. In the Subject Line please put "2026 Lake Forest Day Parade".