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CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES - FRIDAY 4 JULY 2008

 

Thank you for your interest in The Scottish Sun Edinburgh Festivals’ Cavalcade 2008.  The Cavalcade will take place on Sunday 3 August 2008 from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.  The Cavalcade has been running every year since 1976 and this year is again funded by the City of Edinburgh Council and supported by the Scottish Sun.  The Cavalcade is directed by David Todd of David Todd Limited who was Director the last four years and Parade Organiser in 2003 for Major Brian Leishman who had directed the Cavalcade for the previous six years.

 

Last year there were over 3,000 participants in over 80 groups led by a motorised parade and the entire cast of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.  Festival and Fringe performers, Community Groups and Commercial Floats were interspersed with bands from all over the world.  It rained all day but still an estimated 50,000 people lined the streets to watch - in previous years it has been over 150,000.  The Cavalcade will start in Market Street, cross Waverley Bridge, go down Princes Street, turn into Lothian Road and finish at the end of Castle Terrace at the bottom of Johnston Terrace.  Quality and music are the essence of any successful parade and it is our intention to make this one of the best parades in the United Kingdom.

 

Groups should apply in writing on the attached application form with a full description of their proposal.  The closing date for applications is Friday 4 July 2008.  The judging panel have to achieve a balance of participating groups and applications may be rejected on this account.  The Cavalcade primarily attracts a family audience and the judging panel may also refuse entry to groups whose entertainment is inappropriate for this audience or who seek to use the Cavalcade for political ends.  All entries will be inspected in the form-up area before the Cavalcade begins and the judging panel reserves the right to refuse participation at this stage should they consider the entry inappropriate.  Please complete the application form and give a full description of your proposal to allow the panel to make a proper assessment.  There is also a script to be sent later for press and media release and to be given to the DJs that entertain and inform the crowds.  Full details for reporting on the day will be sent nearer the time.

 

PRINCIPAL CATEGORIES

 

MOTORISED – last year two Moto Guzzi Trikings led groups of Harley Davidsons from Harley Owners Groups and Honda Gold Wings from Scotia Wings Motorcycle Clubs from all over Scotland.

 

BANDS – last year massed bands from Edinburgh and the Borders were joined by Pipe Bands and Military Bands from Glasgow, Carluke, Rosyth Linlithgow and Stewartry.  A parade moves at the speed of a marching band so its music, performance and on-street appearance brings everything needed to make the event spectacular.

 

FESTIVALS – last year hundreds of Fringe performers were led by the entire cast of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo previewing their festival appearances.

 

COMMUNITY – last year community groups from all over Scotland came on floats or as walking groups.

 

COMMERCIAL – last year companies as varied as The Edinburgh Dungeon, Euro Hostels, Skoda and Our Dynamic Earth promoted themselves to over 50,000 people in spite of the rain.

 

SUB CATEGORIES

 

FLOATS will be either:

SELF PROPELLED – a float that is motorised or moves of its own power

TOWED – a float built on a two axle wheeled base and towed by another vehicle

Acceptance Standards

· Maximum dimensions must not exceed 10 feet wide, 50 feet long or 15 feet high

· A float may carry as many people as safety and weight restrictions allow.  A maximum of fifty people may walk on the street in front or behind the float.

· Hand hold seats and/or safety harness should be provided for all riders who are positioned on the float

· All floats and units with generators must have two fire extinguishers mounted in plain view and available to the driver and/or participating passengers (all of whom must be instructed in their use).  The fire extinguishers must have been serviced within the last year

· Floats must be constructed of materials that will hold up under adverse weather conditions.  These materials may included but are not limited to, vinyl sheeting, papier maché, foam, enamel paint, webbing or rubberised materials and natural growth such as flowers, plants, grass or moss.

· All exposed parts and wheels should be completely covered.  Remember that television views will see your entry from all angles including above

· Skirting material should reach to within two inches of the ground.  Hard/solid skirting should reach no closer than eight inches to the ground.

· Every float must be capable of being towed and have exterior frontal towing capability.   If your float breaks down, a tow truck will be available to move your unit.

· Floats should be designed, constructed and decorated so that viewing from either side is equally appealing to the eye

· The float should bear the name of the organisation and sponsor (if appropriate) on the side aprons.  All signs must be of high quality and easily readable.  Cavalcade placards will be issued on the day of the Cavalcade at the Report Point and should be carried in front of the group.

· Float designs will be accepted on the basis of aesthetic quality, originality, quality of construction, creativity in the design and use of animation

 

SPECIALITY UNITS - the difference between a speciality unit and everything else in the Cavalcade is the value of pure entertainment.  Speciality units are designed to entertain the audience along the route and bring colour and excitement to the Cavalcade.  Groups must not be either too small (no visual impact) or too large (too many people).  Each application will be considered on its own merits.  Theatre groups are encouraged to stretch their imagination and present unique, exciting units that amuse and reflect the beauty and uniqueness of Edinburgh as well as the Festivals and Scotland

 

WALKING GROUPS in the Festivals’ Cavalcade are defined as any unit that does not have entertainment value above and beyond the appearance they make on the street in the Cavalcade.  In other words it is a unit that exists solely to show participation and representation by the groups it involves.  It can be a group of dancers or other performers who are not performing but rather walking and waving, or indeed it can be celebrities and dignitaries whose participation in the Cavalcade honours their achievements and have name recognition value

 

PRIZES

 

FESTIVALS, COMMUNITY AND COMMERCIAL

 

Best Float in each of the above three principal categories wins £250 and runner up wins £150 in each category

Best Speciality Unit in the Cavalcade wins £200

Best Walking Group in the Cavalcade wins £150

 

JUDGING

The judging panel will review all applications.  Evaluation of the entry’s ability to entertain is critical to its acceptance in the Cavalcade.  Submissions will be judged on the following criteria:

 

Design Concept – the unit is well designed/conceived and has an exceptional theme or idea

Entertainment Quality – the idea is fun and/or clever

Technical Design – it will easily travel the Cavalcade route, turn corners and fit under obstructions and can be created in the time available

Choreography – there are entertaining, unusual and exciting routines

Costuming/Props – the costumes are original in nature, unusual and/or well designed.  The props are inventive and large enough to be visible to the audience.

 

ESSENTIAL TO ALL PARTICIPANTS

 

Insurance - a certificate of insurance in respect of Third Party Public Liability will be required for each group and will be inspected prior to the start of the Cavalcade.  Participants who have difficulty in obtaining cover should inform the Cavalcade Director.  No group will be allowed to take part unless Third Party Public Liability Insurance has been obtained.

 

Marshals No stops are permitted en route - i.e. no on the spot performing.  Participant Groups must provide two dedicated marshals who will be responsible for ensuring the safety of their entry and associated participants and who are not part of the “act”.

 

Refreshment and clothing - organisers must provide appropriate refreshment (with particular regard to hot weather) and appropriate climatic clothing for all participants.

 

Arrival - organisers and floats must report no later than 12.30pm and participants no later than 1.30pm on the day.  Separate reporting instructions will be sent nearer the time.

 

GIVEAWAYS

One of the most exciting aspects of the Cavalcade will be the addition of Cavalcade Giveaways.  Many of the event units will be giving Cavalcade Beads in bright colours to the audience along the route.  This centuries old tradition the giving of items from floats and units pre-dates the reformation and came into its own during the floral parades of the mid 1800s when carriage riders threw flowers at other carriages.  Although the Cavalcade giveaways are designed primarily for children along the route they are much sought after and enjoyed by all ages.  Cavalcade Giveaways must not be thrown.  They are to be given away and must comply with the General Product Safety Regulations 1994.

 

COMMERCIAL ENTRIES

There is an entry fee of £250 plus VAT for all commercial entries - payable in advance.  This goes towards ensuring that the Cavalcade is of the highest quality.  Please contact the Cavalcade Director for details of how to maximise your participation in the Cavalcade and your exposure to 175,000 people.  Please note that the prize for the best Commercial Float is £250!