Parade Entry Guidelines

Pre-Parade

    1. 2026Parade Registration Entries will be accepted online beginning March 1st until May 16th. All Entries will be reviewed by the Parade Participants Committee. Once the completed form is submitted, the Parade Participants Committee will respond to each entry by email.

Parade Day

  1. Please have only ONEmember of your group sign in at the registration table in the parking lot at 1090 Bayside Drive, Newport Beach between 8:00 am and 9:30 am.
  2. You will be assigned your parade line-up number that will correspond to a chalk number on Bayside Drive. Number 1 is on the corner of Marine Avenue and Bayside Drive; number 100 is down Bayside toward Pacific Coast Highway. Your group/float/car must be in line by 10:00 am, no exceptions!  
  3. Only cars assigned to VIPs may enter the staging area and pick up VIPs.
  4. The parade starts promptly at 11:00 am, crosses over the Balboa Island Bridge, travels down Marine Avenue and ends at the fire station; approximately two and one-half blocks.
  5. DO NOT PARK in the Bayside Shopping Center/Pavilions parking lot, they will tow! We do not have parking spaces for participants. Get to the Island early and find a parking spot. Enjoy breakfast at our many restaurants! Carpool, park on the Island or at Fashion Island and take UBER/LIFT. Again, please NO PARKING in the Bayside Shopping Center/Pavilions parking lot.
  6. To maintain the community fun and spirit of the parade, political activity or commercial advertising of any kind is prohibited.
  7. The Newport Beach Police Department has requested that the parade have a continuous forward movement. Due to the popularity of the Parade and to avoid lengthy traffic disruption, please do not have your group stop longer than 30 seconds. The exception to this is, if you have a routine; please stop at the judging stage in front of the main stage next to the Shanghai Pine Gardens Restaurant to perform your routine in front of our judges’ review.
  8. We want everyone to have fun and enjoy the day, but keeping in mind safety is important. There are children of all ages lining the parade route. If you are giving out candy or other trinkets, please have those who are distributing hand it to the parade viewer.  Tossing could hurt someone. If you are driving a vehicle in the parade, please be mindful of small children and drive slowly.

Post Parade

  1. Join us immediately following the parade for our After Party concert! Stay and enjoy a fun day with family and friends “Island Style”!
  2. The Parade Judges Awards will be presented at the All-Island “Pancake Breakfast” at the Beek Center, Balboa Island on Saturday, June 20th. More information will follow for award winners.

Judging

  1. We are looking for enthusiasm, theme related and creativity.
  2. Parade entries will be judged in the following categories:
  • Best Kids Group
  • Best Youth Group
  • Best Music Group
  • Best Elementary School Band
  • Best Middle School Band
  • Best High School Band
  • Best Float
  • Best Golf Cart
  • Best Dog Group
  • Judges Award
  • Spirit Award
  • Theme Award
  • People’s Choice Award
  • Grand Marshall’s Award
  • Parade Chairman’s Award
  • Merchant Award
  1. Auto judging will be conducted prior to the parade:
  • Best Theme Vehicle
  • Best Vehicle

If you have any questions or are having difficulty with the online registration, email us at balboaislandparade@gmail.com or call Cathy Saari 312-286-9265 or Gail Vasterling 949-246-7110 and they will assist.

Thank you,
2026 Parade Participants Committee
Balboa Island Improvement Association
biia.org