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80th Annual Kiddie Kapers Parade

"100 Years of Big Hats & Buckaroos"

Presented by The Salinas Californian
Saturday July 10, 2010 - Oldtown Salinas
Judging begins at 5:00 on Corner of Lincoln and San Luis Streets
Parade Begins at 6:30 p.m.

Bring your family to Oldtown Salinas and join 80 years of tradition with the Kiddie Kapers Parade.

The Kiddie Kapers Parade is a free community celebration for children and their families in the Salinas Valley and beyond. The Kiddie Kapers parade celebrates western tradition and helps to kick off Big Week and the California Rodeo Salinas.

Divisions

Come show off your creativity to the whole community! The Kiddie Kapers Parade is divided into 11 divisions. Choose which division to participate in and bring yourself, your community group or your favorite canine friend to walk the parade route with you.

Winners for the best dressed and most themed in each division win cash prizes. All children receive a ribbon, dollar bill and coupons from local businesses.

Parents — The Kiddie Kapers parade is about the children. When dressing your child up, please avoid commercialism or advertising for businesses.

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 – bring out your best western duds and pony up to this division. The Best Dressed Cowboy and Cowgirl will get to ride in the front of parade in special vehicles.

Division 3: Strollers and Wagons – Kids too small to walk the whole parade route? Hop in and pull or push wagons or strollers decorated with the parade's theme

Division 4: Floats – Ride on top or walk next to a float decorated by you and your friends. Please remember the floats need to be people powered.

Division 5: Community Groups – Get together with your 4-H club, Soccer team or Scout Troop and be part of the parade. The more, the merrier!

Division 6: Costumed Kids and Pets – Think you and your pet look alike? Bring them down to join you in the parade. If your furry friend is going to join you in the parade, make sure they are on a leash.

Division 7: Characters in Costume – Have a favorite super hero or a princess you want to be? Bring those Halloween costumes out of the closet early or show the community your creativity in creating your own character in costume.

Division 8: Bands – bring you whole band out and celebrate! All types of school bands are welcome and will be allowed to perform along the parade route.

Division 9: Dance Teams – Folklorico dancers, ballet or Irish Step group – All dance groups are welcome to come and show the community your stuff and perform while walking in the parade

Division 10: Drill Teams – Cheerleading quads and Drill teams make some noise! This division is all for you. We want to see your team spirit in the parade.

Division 11: Rolling Riders – Will you be on wheels during the parade? If so, this is the division for you? Remember to wear your helmet – there's a $25 prize for best decorated helmet.

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. 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!

FAQs

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 July 10th, 6:30pm
For the Centennial Celebration ONLY the parade will be held Saturday prior to the Rodeo (instead of Tuesday evening during Big Week) as the prelude to the Colmo del Rodeo Parade.
How long does it take?
Approximately 1.5 hours.
What time do I need to be there to walk in the parade?
Arrive by 5pm at the City of Salinas Recreation Center located at 320 Lincoln Ave in downtown Salinas
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 Recreation Center to direct you to the appropriate division.
How many years has the Kiddie Kapers Parade been going on?
This year is the 80th 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 3/4 mile. Basically, the Parade covers 5 blocks in the downtown area of Salinas known as Oldtown.
Where can I park?
There are some public parking lots on Monterey St. 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 9pm). Please refer to the map for the location of street closures.
What should my kids do?
Check out our division descriptions for ideas. Kids are encouraged to be creative and express themselves! Cowboys & Cowgirls are always popular. Other divisions allow the children to parade with their pets or to 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 – there will be a $25 award for the best decorated helmet.
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!

History

Coming Soon!

For more information on the Kiddie Kapers Parade call (831) 775-3100 or email kiddie.kapers@gmail.com.