Interested in Ashland’s Old-Fashioned 4th of July Celebration as either a Booth or Parade Entry. Our event is being held on Thursday, July 4th, 2019.  Here are some important items and updates we’d like to share with you:

• Booth and Parade Applications: We are a bit delayed and we thank you for your patience. We anticipate having applications ready by the end of this month, but we do not have an exact date. You will automatically receive an email with that information when they are released.  We will also update our website at that time as well.  We will extend the deadline to the best of our capabilities to give you more time, as we understand we are delayed in comparison to previous years.  Deadlines for applications will fall during the week of June 24th and will be clearly stated on the forms.  Booth assignments will still be first come, first serve.        
• Ashland’s Old-Fashioned 4th of July Mission Statement:

The mission of the Ashland Chamber of Commerce’s Old-Fashioned 4th of July Celebration is to create and operate a long-standing historic Ashland tradition to celebrate our country’s independence, freedom and liberty through this annual event. The Celebration includes the parade, park activities, family activity zone, live music and fireworks – all being meant for a family-friendly audience and to embrace community building by promoting a welcoming atmosphere for all individuals through encouragement and acceptance of one another without judgment or exclusion as to differences in race, sexual orientation, religion, or political affiliation. This is something we embody with each of our events throughout the year. Each year for the Old-Fashioned 4th of July Celebration, our Planning Committee selects a unique theme to honor in the Parade and through our Grand Marshal(s). Local Dignitaries and Veterans are also honored. All Participants must adhere to this mission when in our event permit areas. To learn more about the Ashland Chamber of Commerce or the annual 4th of July Celebration, visit ashlandchamber.com.

• 2019 Parade Theme:

“Celebrating 50-years of Friendship”

The 2019 4th of July Celebration is honoring the 50-years of Sister City friendship between Guanajuato, Mexico and Ashland, Oregon.

We are excited to honor this lifelong friendship between two cities and two countries marked by the people-to-people connections that embrace peace, understanding and acceptance of different cultures and ways of life without judgment, but with joy in honoring our differences and sharing our common values. We invite Parade Entries to embrace the theme of “Friendship.” Ashland is built upon relationships with one another and friendship is at the forefront of this historic relationship.   

• As you plan your Parade Entry or Booth for 2019, be thinking of how you might answer the following questions on the application:
  • What will be the nature or message of Applicant’s entry? 
  • How will it relate to the 4th of July Celebration’s Mission and 2019 Parade Theme (if specifically entering as a float)?
  • Parade Entries, Booth Vendors and behavior will be appropriate for a FAMILY AUDIENCE and consistent with the EVENT MISSION & PARADE THEME. How will your entry or booth fulfill this requirement? 
• 2019 Parade Line-up / Staging Area: Will be completely NEW for 2019 – watch for those changes in parade packets.
• 2019 Parade Timeline (subject to change):
  • 7:00 AM - Entries may arrive to the new staging area (location to be included in parade confirmation packet) any time after 7:00 AM based on how long you may need to finish final touches for your float or entry
    • Entries will now be assigned to a specific order going down the parade route. You will be given line-up instructions in advance along with your parade route number. There will no longer be a first come, first serve system. 
  • 8:30 AM - Judging begins for Floats (must be designated on your parade application in order to be judged and considered for prizes)
  • 9:15 AM - ALL Entries including anyone joining in your float must be to the staging area by this time or you will risk NOT being able to go down the Parade Route
  • 10:00 AM - Parade Begins
  • The Parade ends typically between 11:30 AM and NOON depending how many entries we have  
  • Activities in Lithia Park to follow

• Parade Prizes: New for 2019, we will be awarding CASH PRIZES for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place voted on by our Official Parade Judges.  We have already fundraised a total of $500 in parade funds to be awarded. Start thinking about how you can design your floats to best honor the theme of “Friendship” and the “50th anniversary of our Sister City” – be creative!!
• Electric Cars: Interested in utilizing an Electric Car for your parade entry? SOHEVA (Southern Oregon Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Association) President, James Stephens may be able to help you! Contact him at 541-552-9393 for information.
• 2019 Parade Fees:

• Parade – Ashland Chamber Member Rate: $50.00
• Parade – Non-Ashland Chamber Member Rate: $100.00

• 2019 Lithia Park Vendor Booth Timeline (subject to change):

• 5:30 AM: Upper Winburn Entry Gate opens, Vehicles are allowed into the Park and Setup begins
• 8:00 AM: ALL Vehicle Entry PAST WINBURN EVENT CHECKPOINT GATE (2) CLOSES FOR ENTRY
  • ALL traffic and vehicle entry into Lithia Park will NOT BE PERMITTED after 8:00 AM sharp.
  • Park Entry Past The Bandshell Gate Closes for ALL Permitted Event Vehicles
  • Food Booths: Setup must be completed by 8:00 AM for the Fire Marshal and Health Department inspection
• 8:45 AM: ALL vehicles Must be out of Lithia Park Staging Area By 8:45 AM – NO EXCEPTIONS
• 9:00 AM: Early Booth Viewing in the Park
• 10:00 AM: Parade Begins at Triangle Park
• 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM*: Booths may begin breaking down & Vehicles may re-enter for teardown (depending on pedestrian traffic)
  • *Booth Teardown and Vehicle re-entry are based on pedestrian traffic and instructions we receive from the Ashland Police Department (APD). If there is an opportunity to teardown early to due high temperatures and pedestrian traffic has cleared, each booth will be notified by a Park Official or member of APD. PLEASE AWAIT INSTRUCTIONS from Parks Officials. Parks Officials will provide each vendor with teardown and re-entry information as it becomes available. Do not start teardown or attempt to bring a vehicle into the Park before you are given explicit and official instructions.
• 6:00 PM: All booths must be cleaned up and have exited Lithia Park. No exceptions.

• REQUIRED FOR ALL FOOD BOOTHS: A Temporary Restaurant License is required from the Jackson County Health Department and Food Handlers Permits, 1005 E. Main, Medford, (541) 774-8206 OR visit: http://jacksoncountyor.org/hhs/Environmental-Public-Health/Food-Services/Temporary-Restaurants

• NEW for 2019: Booths must submit these materials (proof of approval) before a confirmation packet can be sent. Due by June 17th, 2019.

• 2019 Lithia Park Booth Fees (rental of the space only, no tables/canopies/etc. provided):

• Non-Profit Information Booth: $75.00
• Non-Profit Food Booth (must be partnering with a Non-Profit and the Non-Profit must the organization to apply): $175.00
• Commercial Food Booth: $475.00
• Craft Booth (Crafts must be produced by person(s) displaying the merchandise for sale): $100.00
• Commercial Retail Booth: $200.00