Gum Springs Community Day Parade Information

Thank you for your interest in being part of the Gum Springs Community Day Parade.  Participants are required to be at the staging area no later than 9:00 a.m.  The parade begins at 11:00 a.m. at the corner of Richmond Highway and Fordson Road and will arrive at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Park (adjacent to the Gum Springs Community Center) at approximately 12:45 p.m. 

Because the success of the parade depends solely on community participation, we hope you will support this event as a part of celebrating 185 years for the oldest African American community in Fairfax County.   No parade entry fee is required for Gum Springs community based organizations, faith based organizations in Gum Springs or Gum Springs residents. 

Individuals/Families who are not Gum Springs residents, there is a flat $10 entry fee that may be paid anytime up to June 1st.  For all others, there is a flat $25 entry fee that may be paid anytime on or before May 15th if paid by check or money order.  No checks or money orders will be accepted after May 15th.  Online payments or cash only after May 15th.  Please be sure to submit your application no later than June 1st. 
                                                                NO PARADE APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED AFTER JUNE 1ST.

    GUM SPRINGS COMMUNITY DAY PARADE APPLICATION
    ​THE MOBILE NUMBER OF AN ONSITE CONTACT PERSON FOR YOUR UNIT/GROUP FOR PARADE DAY MUST BE PROVIDED.
    ​The mobile number will also be used to resolve any unanswered or follow-up questions pertaining to this application.
    ​If a valid mobile number or a response is not provided within 24-hours, the application will be rejected and any fees paid will not be refunded.  Free entries may be required to pay a fee or disqualified from participation in the parade or both if any information provided is invalid at anytime prior to the start of the parade.  
    To pay online, please use PayPal to pay or donate no later than June 1st.  If paying by check or money order, make payable to NGSCA and mail to PO Box 6112, Alexandria, VA 22306.  No checks or money orders accepted after May 15th.
    RULES 
    In addition to the applicant providing the requested and required information above and acknowledging a release of liability, the Gum Springs Community Day Committee reserves the right to decide on categories offered, limit the number of participants in each category, edit parade entries for content and length and prohibit individuals or groups that are not appropriate for a family audience/community parade to include use of banners and signs. Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance.  Stopping along the parade route is not permitted.   Participants are expected to immediately follow the group in front of them.  No throwing of objects of any kind to include candy from vehicles or by any walker.  Equipment and/or decorations may not obstruct the driver’s view.   Police will be present to enforce.  No street vending or sales are permitted.  No confetti permitted.  All animals must be restrained such as with a lease or animal transporter.  Fairfax County leash law will be in effect.  You are also responsible for picking up and removing your pet's waste, which will be strictly enforced.
    RELEASE OF LIABILITY
    By participation in the Gum Springs Community Day Parade, I hereby release, discharge, and hold not liable the New Gum Springs Civic Association/Gum Springs Community Day Committee, or any person affiliated with this event, from all claims of damages, demand actions, causes of actions, whatsoever, in part or in entirety, of any matter arising or growing out of, any participation in this event. I hereby agree to this release on my behalf, and on behalf of the total participants in my group, float, or organization. I have so informed them of this waiver of responsibility as though signed by each and every member of the float, group or organization. I also give full permission for use of my name, my group’s name, and the photographs of each in connection with this event. 

    Furthermore, in the event I agree to operate a vehicle in connection with any of the events and activities held in connection with and/or under the direction of the New Gum Springs Civic Association/Gum Springs Community Day Committee, I represent that I have a valid license to operate such vehicle in the events and/or activities and that I have purchased automobile insurance as required by Virginia law or the state of which my vehicle is licensed to operate, and that I am responsible for complying with all laws that apply to me as a driver of a vehicle. I also agree to obey by the rules put forth by the New Gum Springs Civic Association/Gum Springs Community Day Committee, including (but not limited to) abstaining from throwing candy or other items from parade units and the consumption of alcohol during lineup, on parade unit or along parade route.

    ​In the event I have an animal as a part of my parade entry, I certify that the animal has the appropriate vaccinations, rabies and any other vaccinations or shots required by Fairfax County as ownership of an animal.