Fort Collins Homecoming Parade - 2008/08/11 05:02Alrighty, the Homecoming Parade is on Friday, October 10th, at 5:30pm-6pm and registration for the parade begins August 25th. So there's plenty o' warning for us bums to put together a bad-ass presentation to get some newbies.
Getting as many people as possible for this is important, so toss your lot in if you're up for contributing to this one.
My rather lavishly envisioned idea for this is grabbing somebody's big ol' pickup truck as our main vehicle. We slap some banners on it, such as 'Amtgard, Free to Play', 'Foam, Fighting, Friends', 'www.ironmountains.org', 'We Make Our Own Adventures!', etc all overs it.
In the truck, we've got a trio or so of bardic folks belting out songs to the crowd, in they best courtly garb. Also folks waving, and handing out water, candies, flyers to the rest of us bums...
...which will consist of six or more folks 'ditching' ahead of the truck, basically showing our combat, weapons, etc. Swords and shields, maybe a pole or two, just running ahead of the truck and battling the whole way. Endurance is a must for this one, lemme tell ya, but it's easily our flashiest bit.
Walking alongside, working the crowd with flyers and candies, we get people in awesome garb, even monster garb, armor, the works. They be targeting students, kids, random people, anyone with an interested look on their face. Harpie was a badass at this, I recall vividly. Brief chatting about the game, where we meet, etc.
We might even have two folks out front with a huge ol' banner (volunteers to make it?) to divide us slightly, and keep us from running into whatever hapless bastards are in front of us.
If we're feeling really, really adventurous, we set up a part of the Rakis castle in the back of the truck, with somebody brave waving from the top of that rickety monster.Quiet
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Rafeki
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Re:Fort Collins Homecoming Parade - 2008/08/11 13:18ill help ditch in front of it, and ill rope some other goons and maybe a folcwine into helping also.Kung Fu is about the cultivation of the spirit.
"After all, all Dragoons are stupid and lazy" -Cruz
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Kaa
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Re:Fort Collins Homecoming Parade - 2008/08/11 13:29If I am unable to make it (I get off work at 5pm), I can lend my chainmail shirt to someone that is on the small/skinny side!Squire Ka'a Acklie
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Grendel
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Re:Fort Collins Homecoming Parade - 2008/08/11 13:54I'll be in Texas for banner wars
Post edited by: Grendel, at: 2008/09/30 14:01Dragoon Strike First. Strike Hard. No Mercy. Hús Vetra Skald IMU
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QuietEyed1
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Re:Fort Collins Homecoming Parade - 2008/09/30 06:22Received an e-mail from CSU Events today, who were a little puzzled as to our exact 'theme'. I told 'em we can go with something fairly simple, of 'go outside and play', as that fits with their 'easy to be green' parade theme. Alternatively, 'our weapons are recycled'.
In any case, we're pretty much approved for the parade, though I'll keep an eye on my e-mail just to be safe.
Parade is after our next game day, Friday the 10th, folks. Meet at Spring Creek Park at 4 PM, we'll carpool our happy asses over to N. Howes street somewhere, and find our place. S'all the info I've gotten thus far. Still looking around for a pickup truck to decorate up a wee bit with our banners, and to double as our would-be float.
Interest in this event seems to be leaping from jumping up and down to barely getting off the couch, so I'm authorizing a 'gameday' credit for anyone that makes the trek. Get your workshift covered, leave a bit early (it -is- Friday, after all), and even if you're late getting there, run up to the parade in your gear, find and attack us from the crowd.
It's free, it will help out the park immensely (fingers crossed), and you even get double your regular credits that week. I really can't make it any easier unless I go pick up everybody myself.
Speaking of which, does anybody need a ride? 970 231 8701. Keep it to the FoCo/Loveland area if ya could, please. Already whoring myself enough as it is to pay for gas.Quiet
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Lokin
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Re:Fort Collins Homecoming Parade - 2008/09/30 06:27... I'd ask for a ride... but ummmmm..... I'm not even in the same Area Code...
Post edited by: Lokin, at: 2008/09/30 06:27
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Rafeki
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Re:Fort Collins Homecoming Parade - 2008/09/30 19:14if I get you a ride, will you come?Kung Fu is about the cultivation of the spirit.
"After all, all Dragoons are stupid and lazy" -Cruz
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Lokin
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Re:Fort Collins Homecoming Parade - 2008/10/01 03:04As far as I know I won't be doing anything. So, sure.
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QuietEyed1
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Re:Fort Collins Homecoming Parade - 2008/10/01 22:15"Congratulations! Your 2008 Homecoming Parade application has been approved. Please read through the attached guidelines and regulations for further information about requirements for everyone who participates in this year’s parade.
Note that you, or a representative of your entry, must attend one of the Parade Orientation meetings scheduled to occur during the next two weeks. A list of times and locations is included in the attached packet.
Also note that a description of your entry to be included in the parade script is due by Friday, October 2. Read the packet for guidelines on what to include in this brief description.
One suggestion is to have your banner read “Go Outside and Play with Recycled Materials!” Please throw this idea around.
Again, congratulations! We look forward to your participation in this year’s Homecoming & Family Weekend celebration as we show our community “It is Easy Being Green!”
Parade Application Review Committee
Homecoming & Family Weekend
Please direct any questions to the Office of CSU Events at csuevents@colostate.edu or 970.491.4601."
And their attached document...
"2008 Parade Guidelines & Regulations Congratulations! Your entry has been accepted into the 2008 Homecoming Parade as part of CSU’s Homecoming & Family Weekend celebration! Please read through this packet carefully, as it contains information for which you – and everyone participating in your parade entry – are responsible. The parade is coordinated by CSU Events, with guidance from the Colorado State University Homecoming & Family Weekend Steering Committee, under the sponsorship of Colorado State University and the Board of Governors of the Colorado State University System. The parade is made possible (in part) by the generous support of Colorado State University, the City of Fort Collins, Downtown Business Association, Veteran’s Activities Committee, Front Range Community College, Traffic Masters, CSU Bookstore, Regent Communications, and Clear Channel. The 2008 parade is FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10 at 5:00 p.m. The theme for this year's parade is “It is Easy Being Green.” In support of the theme, ALL participants must comply with entries that incorporate one, or both, of the following: (a) environmental friendliness/ use of sustainable resources (b) display of CSU spirit and pride A list of ideas for “greening” your parade entry is available at http://homecoming.colostate.edu. It is important that all entries pay close attention to the theme criteria. Entries that are not consistent with promotion of the theme will be denied approval to participate in the parade. Awards will be given for floats and novelty entries that best promote this year’s theme. Awards are divided into two major categories – CSU entries and Community entries. Entries will be judged during the parade, and winners will be announced at Friday evening’s Homecoming Festival, on the Lory Student Center’s West Lawn on the CSU campus. The Festival begins immediately after the parade, at 6:30 p.m., and winners will be announced during the bonfire at 8 p.m. Game logistics permitting, winners also will be announced at Saturday’s Homecoming Football Game. Trophies will be distributed at a later date. PARADE ORIENTATION All participants are required to have at least one representative attend a mandatory parade orientation and information meeting during the week prior to the parade. The meeting will cover lineup procedures, parade protocol, working the crowd, safety and liability issues, and post parade procedures. Organizations that do not send a representative to this meeting will not be permitted to participate. Entry fees will not be refunded! Parade Orientation Meetings have been scheduled for the following times: Thursday, October 2 Monday, October 6 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Lory Student Center, Room 211E Northside Aztlan Community Center 112 E. Willow, Fort Collins CO 80524 Thursday, October 9 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Lory Student Center, Virginia Dale Room The Parade Entry Manager or an organization representative must attend one of these three meetings. If your group is unable to send a representative at any of these times, please call the Office of CSU Events (970-491-4601) or csuevents@colostate.edu. Minimum Requirements for participation: • Maximum allowed length of total entry ‐ 40 feet (including tow vehicle) • Maximum allowed width of total entry ‐ 10 feet • Maximum allowed height of total entry ‐ 13 feet (from street to top of entry) • Maximum number of people per total entry – 50 (exceptions granted for marching bands) • No tractor trailers allowed • Total entry must fit with the “It is Easy Being Green” theme, one of two ways: -Environmentally friendly/ use of sustainable resources -Displays CSU spirit and pride • Towed entries must have a rigid hitch and safety chains • All units must have a UL approved fire extinguisher with current inspection tag or sticker • All parade vehicles (except those entered by licensed dealers) must be street licensed • No wheelies or stunting will be permitted • Parade entries that can be powered by energy efficient means (horses, bicycles, economy cars, roller skates, etc.) are encouraged, but not required For reasons of personal safety and liability: • ALL CHILDREN IN THE PARADE WHO ARE YOUNGER THAN 5TH GRADE MUST RIDE ON SOME TYPE OF VEHICLE. Only bands and marching units whose members are 5th grade and older will be allowed to walk in the parade. We also strongly recommend that railings be included on all entries that carry children under 5th grade age. • All entries must travel the ENTIRE length of the parade, the public portion of which will begin at Mountain and Howes Street and which will terminate at University and Meridian Avenue. Parade entries must continue to the designated dispersing zone at Pitkin and Meridian before disbanding. The parade will be organized in sections to facilitate line-up. You will receive further line-up instructions at the Parade Orientation meeting and the day of the parade. IMPORTANT INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW 1. All parade entries must be pre-approved by the Parade Application Review Committee. Once approved, you are responsible for conforming to the guidelines of the parade and to creating your entry as described in your application. Parade Officials reserve the right to determine eligibility to participate in the parade until the start of the parade based any and all of the requirements listed in this document. Parade Officials also reserve the right to dismiss participants and/or entries before or during the parade based on these requirements. 2. As an approved parade participant, your responsibilities include: • Familiarizing yourself with all guidelines outlined by Parade Officials and sharing these with all participants in your entry. • Promoting the parade theme in your entry as described in your application and as approved by the Parade Application Review Committee. • Obtaining signatures from every participant in your entry for the “Release of Liability and Hold Harmless Agreement” (see below). Bring the signed form with you to the Parade Orientation Meeting or otherwise ensure it is returned to the Office of CSU Events PRIOR to the day of the parade. You will be excluded from the parade if you do not submit this form. • Submitting a BRIEF blurb (description of your entry) to be included in the parade script. This blurb should be no longer than three sentences and may include only the name and location of your group/business and a description of your entry; no promotional information may be included. The blurb must be submitted via e.mail to csuevents@colostate.edu no later than Friday, October 3. 3. Important Regulations to Note: • NOTHING may be THROWN from an entry/ float to the crowd or from the crowd into the parade. You may hand candy or flyers (THINK GREEN!) to audience members, but do not entice them into the street. Someone could get hurt. • All parade entries must be "G-rated" and suitable for general audiences (including children of all ages). • Entries that include photos, posters, constructed representations and/or live persons must ensure that all figures are fully clothed. • It is STRONGLY recommended that all units be constructed of fireproof materials or materials which have been coated with a fire proofing solution. All units must have a UL approved fire extinguisher with current inspection tag or sticker. • Entries not conforming to the parade theme, or entries that are indecent or hostile to any person or group of people based on their gender, race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, disability, or ethnic background, will not be allowed to participate in the parade. • The title of the entry must appear on the entry so that the judges can see it. You also will be provided with a lineup number the day of the parade that must be displayed on your entry. • Alcohol is not allowed on any parade floats and will be confiscated if found. Participants with clearly intoxicated members will not be permitted to continue in the parade. Entries may not portray the use of drugs or alcoholic beverages. Drug paraphernalia and/or alcoholic beverage containers may not be carried on or in any entry, nor may any other containers be decorated to resemble alcoholic beverage containers. 4. The maximum length of total entry is limited to 40 feet (including tow vehicle). Overhead wires along the parade route and staging area will accommodate a maximum height of 13 feet (from street to top of entry). The maximum width of total entry is limited to 10 feet. Groups with an entry larger than the size of one towed flatbed trailer must contact parade organizers in advance. Groups that do not conform to these measurements may be charged an additional entry fee or removed from the parade. 5. Your signature on the parade entry form and the parade RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT is evidence that you agree to all rules and will abide by those rules and decisions of Parade Officials and judges. Further, your signature on the entry form and Hold Harmless Agreement indicates that you agree that the Parade Committee, its associates, employees, agents, and volunteers, are released from any and all responsibility for loss, damage, or injury to any person or property relating in any way to participation in the parade. 6. Special Restrictions for Horse Entries: (a) To reduce liability risks, all horse drawn entries MUST have handlers for each horse (people to help hold the horses' heads and guide them through the crowds). (b) Horse entries are required to clean any defecation from the streets along the parade route IMMEDIATELY. Each entry is required to have additional participant(s) with a wheelbarrow and shovel for cleanup. We also strongly encourage you to use collection devices (sometimes called "horse diapers"). (c) Only experienced riders may enter horse units. Unsupervised children should not enter horseback units. Questions about entry rules and regulations should be directed to CSU Events (491-4601 or csuevents@colostate.edu). AWARDS & JUDGING Awards are divided into two major categories – CSU entries and Community entries, with a float and novelty division for each. Trophies will be awarded to winners in each division with a Sweepstakes Trophy to be awarded to the top entry in the parade. Entries will be judged during the parade, and winners will be announced at Friday evening’s Homecoming Festival, on the Lory Student Center’s West Lawn on the CSU campus. The Festival begins immediately after the parade, at 6:30 p.m., and winners will be announced during the bonfire at 8 p.m. Game logistics permitting, winners also will be announced at Saturday’s Homecoming Football Game. Trophies will be distributed at a later date. FLOATS Floats will be judged during the parade. Judging is based on: 1. Artistry 2. Promotion of the Parade Theme 3. Originality 4. Overall Effect 5. Construction (How well you hold together during the parade) 6. Effort NOVELTY ENTRIES This category is designed to allow for greater expression and freedom in conveying the Parade Theme. Entries will be less dependent on structure and more concerned with originality and audience appeal. (A novelty could be a decorated car, group of people in costume, horseback group, antique autos, a kazoo band, or anything else to strike your fancy. In past parades, a number of groups have had wacky drill teams. These are especially encouraged.) Novelties will be judged during the parade. Judging is based on: 1. Ingenuity 2. Audience Appeal 3. Promotion of the Parade Theme 4. Overall Effect 5. Effort PARADE STAGING & ROUTE The parade lineup area will be in the Civic Center District (Howes Street from Mountain to Cherry; feeder sections of Meldrum St., Laporte Avenue, and Maple St; some downtown parking lots). A specific map with additional lineup instructions will be provided at the Parade Orientation meeting. Parade staging begins at 2 p.m. on October 10, although your group’s arrival time may vary by the type of entry. Specific lineup instructions and times will be provided to your entry manager before the parade. Any entry arriving late for the parade lineup will have points deducted from the total score. If there are any questions, please call 491-4601 (CSU Events) or e.mail csuevents@colostate.edu. Leave a message if no one connected with the parade is available when you call. The public viewing area of the parade route will be as follows: Begins at Mountain and Howes Street; South on Howes to West Drive; South on West Drive to University Avenue; West on University Avenue to Meridian Avenue; Ends at University and Meridian Avenue. A map of the public route is available at http://homecoming.colostate.edu. All parade entries must continue south on Meridian Avenue to disband at the designated dispersing zone at Pitkin and Meridian. Thank you for participating in the 2008 Homecoming Parade at Colorado State University! We look forward to seeing you on October 10!"
I'll bring their 'hold harmless' agreement to the park on Sunday, we'll see how many possible signatures we can acquire. I'll have it handy the day of the parade, too, so we don't get sued or some crap.
I'll be attending one of their lovely meetings about the parade, by the look of things, and I'll make certain to pimp us accordingly, if need be.
It's a lengthy bit, but if you're planning on showing, have a glance.Quiet
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QuietEyed1
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Re:Fort Collins Homecoming Parade - 2008/10/02 22:10I think I'm gonna put together a coupla banners for us to bring along. Two 10" by 3" numbers, supported by a 10" length of something sturdy. That'll mean 4 people are carrying banners at any one time. "Amtgard, Free to Play" on one, "Come out and play with recycled materials" on the other. Four of us can walk with the banners, and when people get tired from fighting, if needed, they can swap places with one of the banner holders, who will go out and fight while that person rests.
Considering that our fighting requires a certain amount of space, and we're limited to 40" long, and 10" wide, I don't think we'll need a vehicle anymore, either. Except to get there.Quiet
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QuietEyed1
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Re:Fort Collins Homecoming Parade - 2008/10/03 23:21Yes, more updating. What a boring meeting.
Parade line up /set up etc begins at 2pm. I can show then, easily.
The kicker is that everybody who's going to be in the parade really needs to try to be at the parade by 4 PM, according to the gurus.
But I think they'll let us in anyway. So plan on meeting at the park at 3:30 instead of 4, and leave at 4 instead of 4:30, folks.
If you're still gonna be a late-show, show anyway. The parade is an hour and a half long, and I have no problem with people jumping in late, nor is the parade staff really going to notice you, or complain. If they do, hit them with a sword and jump in anyway.
This is assuming I'm not talking to myself.Quiet
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Rafeki
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Re:Fort Collins Homecoming Parade - 2008/10/04 03:35How bout for the signs do like "Amtgard, Live the Dream" and then "Free to play!" cause I really dont get the recycled thing, and im not sure its a good selling point?Kung Fu is about the cultivation of the spirit.
"After all, all Dragoons are stupid and lazy" -Cruz
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QuietEyed1
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Re:Fort Collins Homecoming Parade - 2008/10/04 05:50We use broken golf shafts, was my thought, so I threw that idea out to them. They were pretty stickler for us following their green theme, so I came up with what I could.
Probably do 'Amtgard, Medieval Fantasy Fighting Club', then 'Come play with recycled materials', only throw 'Free to play, Join the adventure!' on the back o' that one. That way I get some additional use outta the second banner.
I'll bring both out to the park Sunday. Got all the materials, just gotta go through the pain in the ass of making 'em at work. Did all the flags in one night, I expect much the same from these banners...
which are goddamn huge.
Also, gameday plans are gonna be parade-based. We gotta fight while moving at the parade anyway.Quiet
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QuietEyed1
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Re:Fort Collins Homecoming Parade - 2008/10/05 15:00Banners pretty much finito. Just gotta lay some sew-age down upon their large, bulky bits.Quiet
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QuietEyed1
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Re:Fort Collins Homecoming Parade - 2008/10/07 07:14Sew-age has been laid. Banners are finito.
And naturally, I found an extra amtgard banner in my storage today. Hilarious.
I'll have up the exact meeting point for drivers by wednesday.Quiet
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