TriPride Parade & Festival Application / Agreement

Welcome to the 2023 TriPride Parade in downtown Johnson City!

We are excited to be back in Johnson City, TN as we beginning our second lap through the Tri-Cities!

Pride parades were the first public declaration and celebration of our LGBTQ community. The proud celebration of our unique diversity through visibility in the community helps to break down barriers of prejudice and discrimination. You make a difference in your participation through marching in the Parade. TriPride invites you to share in this experience and have a lot of fun doing it!

Feel free to be as creative as possible with your float, car or banners while promoting your business, church, group, etc.  Don’t forget to bring beads, candy, flyers, and water as the crowd always loves freebies!  (As a safety issue, you can pass out free items at street level but don’t throw them into the crowd. More on this below.)

Parade contingencies can look a variety of ways. It can be as simple as a hand drawn sign with your group’s name or theme, i.e. Siblings of LGBT. Or march holding a banner with your group name. Decorate a car, convertible, bike or golf cart and drive in the Parade. Or go full on with a float, from the simple back of a pick-up truck to an elaborate double decker creation with dancers and music!

The theme for this year's event is Let Your Pride Shine so use that inspiration to show your pride through the parade.  We always suggest having some form of music as there will be a few stops in the parade and music always keeps the crowd engaged and pumped up.

This is a daytime event which will have vendors, live music, arts and crafts, a Kids Zone, food and alcohol. Please make sure the people in your contingency group conduct themselves accordingly.

Underwear or swimwear alone on the lower half of the body for this event is inadequate. Please wear shorts, skirts or similar attire as a minimum requirement.

Animals, except for service animals, are not permitted inside the Festival grounds.

Please note: Registration for the TriPride Parade is free. All contingencies must be approved by the TriPride Parade Committee. Violating any of the restrictions below can cause you to be excluded from participating in the parade. 

No Floats over 15’ High. This is due to the power lines and traffic signals that we will pass under on State Street.

Law Enforcement Vehicles to Lead the Parade.  Law enforcement vehicles will lead the parade.  The mix of which agency will provide the vehicles is to be determined amongst those agencies.

No Confetti or Laminated Materials.  The throwing or distribution paper confetti or similar materials (such as temporary tattoos or coupons on small pieces of paper) or plastic-laminated papers by any parade participants is prohibited.  If the pavement is even slightly damp, it is very difficult to mechanically remove this material from the pavement surface after the parade.

No Pushcart Peddling.  No selling of souvenirs, food, etc. from pushcarts traveling on the pavement or sidewalks of the parade route is permitted.

Sirens and Air Horns.  The blowing of sirens, air horns, etc. during the parade is prohibited, so that there is no confusion between sirens and air horns blown in celebration and sirens and air horns blown to warn of an actual emergency and the need to travel to the emergency site.

Distribution of Candy, etc. from Moving Vehicles.  Candy, coupons, pens, etc. or other items to be distributed to the spectators from parade entrants will be handed out by persons on foot.  Requiring spectators to walk up to a vehicle or float to be handed candy or other items directly from a rider, or having spectators chase items thrown from parade participants, is prohibited in the interest of spectator safety.

Horses and Other Animals.  You are responsible for ensuring that any horses or other such animals in the parade are properly diapered or are accompanied by personnel equipped to clean up any waste products so as not to pose a hazard to parade participants following behind.  Dogs shall be leashed or restrained in accordance with local ordinances.

Reckless Driving Prohibited.  Parade participants are not permitted to drive recklessly (i.e., burnouts, wheelies, etc.) in the parade, even though the streets are closed to public traffic, in the interests of spectator safety.

Golf Carts and Similar Vehicles Prohibited on public roads.  The use of golf carts or similar vehicles on roadways open to public vehicular traffic is prohibited. This means you can have these vehicles in the parade but you can’t drive them on public roads to get them there or take them away after the parade.

The Parade starts at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday September 23rd, 2023.

Staging for the parade typically takes place starting at 9:00 a.m. Specifics will be announced after your registration is received and approved.

Please make sure to car pool as there is limited space for parking and staging. There will be a map posted on the website with parking lots and drop offs for parade participants.

The Festival ends at 7:00 p.m. All floats and vehicles should be moved out of the area by 8:00 p.m. Saturday night.

Please Note: Exhibitor refers to both For-Profit and Non-Profit Exhibitors. TriPride TN, Inc. is represented as TriPride.

Exhibitors shall pay a fee for booth space (see details below). Payment can be made via online payment or invoice. If you have special circumstances, please save the form to complete later and reach out to us. We will do our best to work with you. Health Services Providers and Sponsors are not required to pay the booth fee.

We will do our best to accommodate any special needs. Final decisions on placement and accommodation will be up to the Festival Committee.

Non-Profit Exhibitors shall pay a $50 fee for a booth. Non-Profit Exhibitors who are selling items are welcome to keep all sales up to a $750 cap. Beyond the $750 threshold, TriPride asks the Non-Profit Exhibitor to remit payment of 10% of sales, above the $750 cap, to TriPride within 30 days of the event. Additionally, we ask that the Non-Profit Exhibitor provide an estimate to TriPride within 30 days of the event of their total sales.

For-Profit Exhibitors shall pay a $100 fee for a booth. For-Profit Exhibitors who are selling items are welcome to keep all sales up to a $750 cap. Beyond the $750 threshold, TriPride asks the For-Profit Exhibitor to remit payment of 10% of sales, above the $750 cap, to TriPride within 30 days of the event. Additionally, we ask that the For-Profit Exhibitor provide an estimate to TriPride within 30 days of the event of their total sales.

These requests are done for two reasons: to help us understand our economic impact -- an important metric to grant providers, sponsors, city partners, and the TriPride organization -- and to allow us to keep our entry fees very low. This is based on the honor system and helps support our volunteer-lead organization. An email will be sent out after the event requesting this information. Failure to respond may result in your application being denied at future events. We thank you in advance for understanding and your honesty.

TriPride agrees to provide a designated location to each approved exhibitor. Unless a different booth size has been previously arranged with a member of the Festival Committee, a 10' x 10' booth space will be provided. Exhibitors will provide their own tables, chairs, tent, booth accessories, etc.

Booth access to electricity may be available on a very limited basis, but is not guaranteed. The Exhibitor should assume there is no electricity available. If the Exhibitor would like to bring their own power generator, the Exhibitor must first request permission from TriPride. Exhibitors with a power generator will be placed in the best location for festival patrons to ensure the generators do not negatively affect the quality of the event. The generator may be inspected by a Fire Marshal, TriPride board member, police, or any combination to ensure safety. There are limited number of spaces available. TriPride cannot guarantee accommodations for all Exhibitors who wish to bring their own power generator.

Selling food and beverages are prohibited without application and approval of TriPride's Food & Beverage Committee. TriPride reserves the right to confiscate any food or beverage being sold without permission for the duration of the festival. If there are any losses of product in value or the physical item, the Exhibitor cannot and will not hold TriPride liable for said loss. However, providing Free Water is encouraged and is a great way to engage with festival patrons.

Out of fairness and consideration of all festival participants, the Exhibitor acknowledges and agrees to only utilize such space contained within the confines of its booth, and not to extend beyond 5 feet directly in front of its booth, for any sales, distribution, or other solicitation by the Exhibitor.

As a courtesy to other exhibitors and festival participants, any amplified sound and loud noise from your booth is prohibited. Additionally, the Exhibitor acknowledges and agrees that any material of an adult nature shall be displayed subject to the Federal, State, and Local rules, laws, and regulations regarding the display of such materials, which may be considered obscene or objectionable for view by minors.

The Exhibitor must refrain from selling or giving away sexually explicit items. Sexual health items, such as condoms and personal lubricants, are permitted. Sex toys are not.

The Exhibitor shall not display, offer for view, or sell any illegal or contraband items consistent with local, state, and federal laws.

You may not sell or give away any items that are contrary to TriPride's mission and values.

The Exhibitor shall not display, offer for view, or sell any items that are unlicensed and/or copies/interpretations of licensed or registered items.

This is a daytime event which will have vendors, live music, arts and crafts, children's activities, food and alcohol. The Exhibitor shall conduct themselves appropriately. Underwear or swimwear alone on the lower half of the body for this event is inadequate. Please wear shorts, skirts or similar attire as a minimum requirement.

The Exhibitor shall not display, offer for view, take orders for, sell, or solicit for donation any items that are imprinted, emblazoned or marked in any manner with “TriPride”. Even when printed with other words, The Exhibitor shall not offer phrases, logos, or artwork with any variations of these words without explicit permission from TriPride.

The Exhibitor shall not sublet their space to anyone.

The Exhibitor acknowledges and understands that they are responsible for sales and use tax and shall in no way hold TriPride or its representatives responsible for any type of permits other than for the festival itself. The Exhibitor is responsible for the acts, and all costs associated with any and all its employees and volunteers. The Exhibitor shall hold itself out as an Agent of TriPride.

TriPride will not provide overnight security at the festival site for exhibitor booths. TriPride and the host city accepts no responsibility for items left overnight or unmonitored during the time of the festival. The Exhibitor is solely responsible for the security of all items in their booth at all times.

TriPride makes no representation or guarantees towards actual festival attendance.

The Exhibitor understands that TriPride has no control over weather, acts of God, acts of terrorism, or governmental intervention, or any other cause that may prevent and alter and/or interrupt the festival. Participants shall hold TriPride and its agents harmless for any losses that could arise because of such event. TriPride does not refund booth fees due to weather, acts of God, acts of terrorism, or governmental intervention.

TriPride reserves the right to place the Exhibitor in a booth location at the complete discretion of TriPride. TriPride shall have sole and complete authority to place the participant in any location contained in the place of vendorship, irrespective of the participant’s request. TriPride makes no representation, nor does it guarantee any volume of “foot-traffic” of Festival Guests in any area of the TriPride Festival. TriPride cannot speculate, nor control, the popularity of one area of the Festival over the other.

The Exhibitor, upon vacating their booth space(s) will ensure that such space shall be free of any and all trash or refuse, with such being placed in the appropriate containers. Failure of the Exhibitor to clean their booth site may result in the future denial of the Exhibitor's participation.

TriPride reserves the right to refuse any applicant for any reason with or without cause.

Cancellations / Refund Policy: A 100% refund will be given with a written request received by August 15, 2023. A 50% refund will be given with a written request received between August 16,2023 and August 23, 2023. No refunds will be given for any request received after August 23, 2023. If the event has to be canceled due to COVID-19, 100% will be refunded to the exhibitor.

The Exhibitor acknowledges and agrees to abide by all directions by TriPride and the host city, which seek to protect the environment and infrastructure of the city and the safety of festival patrons. The Exhibitor hereby acknowledges its liability, and agrees to compensate TriPride for any damage(s) caused by, including but not limited to, its representatives, agents, employees, volunteers, members, vehicles, equipment, materials, objects to the environs and infrastructure of the city which causes TriPride to pay for the repair, replacement, or other remuneration to the host city for such damage.

The Exhibitor agrees to each and all clauses set forth in this agreement and identified in the TriPride Parade & Festival application, herein incorporated by reference. Failure by the Exhibitor to abide by any clauses set forth in this agreement gives TriPride, and/or the authorized agents of the TriPride organization the right to:

• immediately terminate this agreement
• require Exhibitor, immediately upon notice of violation of this agreement, to cease operations and vacate the premises, and
• forfeit any and all fees paid to TriPride for the right and privilege of participating as a TriPride Festival Exhibitor. No clauses of this agreement may be changed in any way or altered without the written, signed permission of TriPride.