JOIN THE PARADE
​Applications for The Southend Halloween Parade have now closed. We look forward to seeing everyone who applied on the day!
Please make sure your entry meets the rules below.
Every entrant must:
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Be Illuminated | The parade is at night so it's a must that all entrants are illuminated in some way. Be it glow sticks, battery lights or neon paint! ​
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Be in family-friendly Halloween costumes | It’s Halloween, so be spooky, but remember there’ll be children present, so no dismembered corpses or chainsaw massacres! Only those in costume will be able to join the parade.
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Not give out anything to the crowd | This is because a large majority of leaflets, flags and other promotional items will just get dropped and could end up harming the local environment.
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Entertain the crowd | This is a fun, family parade with a spooky carnival atmosphere, so all entrants must entertain and interact with the crowds.
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Be Weather Resistant | The parade takes place along Southend seafront during all weather conditions. Every entrant should be weather resistant to a certain extent, and any constructed elements should be able to withstand strong gusts of wind.
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Meet at the muster point by 4:45pm | All participants must be at the parade muster point (Eastern Esplanade Car park on Marine Parade) by 4:45pm. Road closures will be in place from 5pm until 9pm so movement will be restricted and you may miss the parade.
​Rules of Entry
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Walking Entries
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All entrants must be in costume and illuminated.
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Person in charge of entry is responsible for their group’s safety.
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All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
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No pushchairs for safety reasons.
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No animals allowed in the parade.
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If entry has vulnerable adults/children, at least one person must have a DBS check.
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All participants must be at the parade muster point by 4:45pm. A designated representative must then attend a safety briefing at the parade muster point at 5pm.
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All entrants are encouraged to interact with the crowd and help create a carnival atmosphere.
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No alcohol/drugs are allowed to be carried or consumed during the event. Any participants found to be doing so will be taken out of the parade.
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Road closures will commence from 5pm until 9pm so movement will be restricted.
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Vehicle Entries
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All entrants must be in costume and illuminated.
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Only one vehicle per entry, and driver's view must not be restricted.
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No vehicle must be over 20ft (6.096 metres) total in length.
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All entries must be able to pass under the pier (16ft).
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All floats must have a safety rail on all open sides.
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Person in charge of entry is responsible for their group’s safety.
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All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult and if under 10 and onboard float/lorry they must be seated for their safety.
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All cables for power or decoration must be secure at all times.
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If entry has vulnerable adults/children, at least one person must have a DBS check.
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If you have power on your entry you must have a fire extinguisher and first aid kit on board.
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All drivers of a vehicle must be insured to drive in the parade, and may be asked to show a copy of their insurance certificate and driving licence on the day.
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If your vehicle is being rented, 2 people must be insured to drive it.
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No alcohol/drugs are allowed to be carried on the vehicle or consumed during the event. Any participants found to be doing so will be taken out of the parade. Random searches will be done by designated stewards/police/security and all items will be confiscated.
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No persons are allowed to jump on and off the vehicle while it is moving.
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You may not throw anything from the vehicle or encourage the crowd to approach the vehicle.
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All participants must be at the parade muster point by 4:45pm. A designated representative must then attend a safety briefing at the parade muster point at 5pm.
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Road closures will commence from 5pm until 9pm so movement will be restricted.