Kiddie Kapers Parade
2012 KIDDIE KAPERS PARADE INFO COMING SOON
THEME- to be announced
82nd Annual Kiddie Kapers Parade
Presented by The Salinas Californian
Saturday, July 14, 2012 - Oldtown Salinas
Parade Begins at 6:30 p.m.
2011 INFORMATION:
Join the Fun for the Kiddie Kapers fun by riding your decorated tricycle or bike, show off your favorite pet and wear a costume, ride on a float with a community group or individually, march with your band, dance or drill team or show off your best hats, boot ,and cowboy or cowgirl duds.
No need to registration and everyone wins a prize!
New in 2011 - CLICK HERE TO SEE THE NEW KKP ROUTE!!!
Divisions
Division 1: Playground Floats - Winners of this division take home the coveted Jane Wither Trophy. Division 1 is reserved for City of Salinas Recreation Centers Participants.
Division 2: Cowboys and Cowgirls - Boys and Girls in their best western duds. The 'Best Dressed' Cowboy and Cowgirl are recognized by getting a special place at the front of the parade.
Division 3: Strollers and Wagons - Children of all ages pulling or pushing wagons or strollers that are all decked out in the kiddie kapers spirit!
Division 4: Floats - People powered floats of all shapes and sizes.
Division 5: Community Groups - Show off your community group by walking in the parade together. Don't forget your banner to represent your club/community group
Division 6: Costumed Kids and Pets - Dress up yourself and your pet, bring them out and show them off!
Division 7: Characters in Costume - Dress up as your favorite character to come out and march in this division. All characters are welcome!
Division 8: Bands - Organized bands for your listening pleasure
Division 9: Dance Teams - Dance groups showing off for the community. From Folklorico to Ballet - you'll find all types of dance groups here!
Division 10: Drill Teams - Cheerleading and drill squads showing their team spirit!
Division 11: Rolling Riders - Everything on wheels! Please make sure and wear your helmets! The best decorated helmet will win a $25 prize!
Revised Guidelines
- Parade participants are asked to not represent a commercial enterprise.
- Distribution of flyers, candy, etc is not permitted. This creates a safety concern for kids in the parade as well as kids along the parade route.
- All floats should be people-powered.
- Please keep your furry, feathered, and scaled friends leased and/or caged at all times for their safety. Furry friends may be walked in the parade but not ridden. Please clean up after your pets.
- Remember your helmet if you'll be riding a bike.
- Parents - if you feel the need to accompany your child in the parade, please be dressed up.
- Get a wiggle on and have fun!
Kiddie Kapers Parade
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kiddie Kapers Parade?
A free parade for children and their families in the Salinas Valley, which kicks off Big Week of the California Rodeo Salinas, and a chance for the community to showcase their creativity.
When is the parade?
Saturday evening prior to Big Week, July 16th preceding the Colmo parade.
The Colmo parade is returning this year and the KKP is immediately preceding the Colmo as part of the Celebration. Come and see 2 parades!
What time does it start? How long does it take?
6:30 pm. Approx 1.5 hours.
What time do I need to be there to walk in the parade?
Arrive by 5 pm at the Salinas High School Main Parking Lot, between Chestnut and Maple Streets.
How do I register? How much does it cost?
No registration, and its free! Just show up, and every child gets a ribbon with a $1 award! Depending on how your child is dressed, or whether you are in a drill team or on a float, you will be directed to the area where the others are arranged by Divisions. There will be an Information table in front of the located at the entrance to the parking lot to help direct you and answer questions.
How many years has the Kiddie Kapers Parade been going on?
This year is the 81st Annual Kiddie Kapers Parade. The Parade began in 1929.
What's the parade route? How long is it?
Please check out the map on our website. The parade route is approximately ¾ mile. Basically, the Parade covers 8 blocks in the downtown area of Salinas known as Oldtown.
Where can I park?
The Steinbeck Center parking garage is accessible from Monterey St, and the fee is approximately $1 for every 2 hours. There are also some public parking lots on Monterey St. There will also be paid parking next to the Kiddie Kapers Staging Area in a roped off section of the high school parking lot. Get there early for the best parking spot. If you choose to park inside the police barricades, you will not be allowed to move your car until after the parade is over and the streets are clear (about 10 pm). Please refer to the map for the location of street closures.
Are Restrooms Available?
Yes - restrooms will be available directly behind the KKP Staging area at Salinas High School.
What should my kids do?
Check out our division descriptions for ideas. Kids are encouraged to be creative and express themselves! The theme of this year's Parade is "One Hundred and One Years of Fun." Many kids wear their best cowboy or cowgirl duds. Other divisions allow the children to parade with their pets or march in a group if they are involved with the YMCA or their church. The important thing is that the kids dress up in a costume and have a great time. Children on bikes must wear helmets.
Can I push my baby in a stroller?
Strollers are grouped with the bicycles at the end of the parade. Remember to dress up yourself and your baby!
Can I hand out candy, balloons, flyers?
No, parade participants are not allowed to distribute ANYTHING to the crowd during the parade. If they are caught, they will be asked to stop. Please understand that this is for the safety of the children participating in the parade and watching the parade and to avoid a mess that the City has to clean up. We appreciate your understanding!
Can I drive my car in the parade? Can my child drive their little car in the parade?
No motorized vehicles are allowed in the parade, with the exception of the lead cars. Children may drive small electric cars at the back of the parade with the bicycles. Please make sure that the car's battery is charged to make it through the entire parade route
Can my goats, horses, mules walk in the parade?
For the safety of the children, no large livestock are allowed. Dogs are allowed but must be well-behaved and leashed at all times. Birds and fowls may be in the parade if they are caged. Small livestock are allowed if they are well-behaved and leashed at all times. Owners are responsible for immediately cleaning up after their pets. The Marshalls may at anytime ask you to remove your animal if they feel it is a detrimental to the parade.
My coworkers and I want to walk our children with the company logo displayed or worn on our clothing.
Kiddie Kapers is designed to be all about the kids, so we do not permit the advertising of private businesses. Community groups are allowed to identify themselves using only their name (no phone #, address, or website). A private business may not have their name or logo displayed. Encourage them to decorate a float or come up with a fun costume theme for their kids.
Still have questions?
Call the Rodeo office at 831-775-3100 or email kiddie.kapers@gmail.com. We'll get back to you as soon as we can!
