The annual Ogden Pioneer Days Parade is a cherished community event, drawing crowds to celebrate tradition and heritage. To ensure a safe, enjoyable, and organized event for everyone, Ogden City has established specific regulations for public conduct and use of public spaces along the parade route. Understanding and adhering to these guidelines will contribute to a positive experience for all attendees. These regulations are in place to facilitate a smooth and memorable Pioneer Days Parade.
Understanding Ogden’s Parade Rules
Navigating the Pioneer Days Parade is easier when you’re familiar with the rules. These guidelines cover everything from reserving your viewing spot to prohibited items, ensuring a comfortable and safe environment for all spectators. Let’s break down the key regulations for the Ogden Pioneer Days Parade.
Time-Based Restrictions: Claiming Your Spot
To maintain order and fairness, Ogden City sets time restrictions on when you can begin reserving your viewing spot along the parade route. Before 6:00 PM on the day preceding the parade, reserving public space along the route is strictly prohibited. This means you cannot place any items or physically attempt to hold a space before this time.
Prohibited activities before 6:00 PM include using items such as:
- Ropes
- Tapes
- Banners
- Vehicles
- Barricades
- Any other type of barrier
Only authorized city personnel, with special event permits, are allowed to place items for reservation before 6:00 PM. This regulation ensures that everyone has an equal opportunity to find a good viewing location without early obstruction of public spaces for the Pioneer Days Parade.
Reserving Your Viewing Space: What’s Allowed After 6 PM
After 6:00 PM on the day before the Pioneer Days Parade, the rules for reserving space become more relaxed, allowing you to secure your spot for the event.
Starting from 6:00 PM, you are permitted to:
- Physically occupy a position: You or someone from your group must be physically present to begin holding a space.
- Use permitted items: You may use items to mark your space, such as:
- Blankets (queen-size or smaller)
- Cabanas (open on all four sides, max 10′ x 10′, no guylines)
- Chairs (standard chairs, camp chairs, stools, benches – seating surface no more than 30″ high and 6′ long)
- Sleeping bags (queen-blanket size when fully opened, max 60″ x 80″)
However, it’s important to note that the city does not guarantee your reserved position will remain secure if you leave it unattended. While you are allowed to use these items to mark a space, continuous physical presence is advisable to ensure your spot is held.
Crucially, even after 6:00 PM, you are still prohibited from using ropes, tapes, banners, vehicles, barricades, or similar barriers to reserve space. This restriction remains in place at all times before and during the parade, unless authorized by a special event permit and implemented by city personnel. The emphasis is on personal presence and the use of reasonable items, not on creating large, blocked-off areas using prohibited materials for the Pioneer Days Parade.
Key Definitions for Parade Goers
To ensure clarity and understanding of the regulations, Ogden City provides specific definitions for terms related to the Pioneer Days Parade rules. Understanding these definitions is helpful for all attendees:
- Adjoining Parade Route: This refers to the sidewalks, paved public areas, and streets directly next to Washington Boulevard, specifically from 20th Street to 31st Street. These are the areas subject to the parade regulations.
- Blanket: Defined as any cloth or tarp laid on the ground, not exceeding the size of a queen-size blanket. This is the size limit for blankets used to reserve space.
- Cabana: A tent-like structure for shade or weather protection, which must be open on all four sides, no larger than 10 feet by 10 feet, and without guylines. This definition clarifies the type of temporary shade structures allowed.
- Chair: Includes common chairs, camp chairs, stools, folding stools, benches, and folding benches. Boxes are excluded. The seating surface must be no more than 30 inches above the ground and 6 feet in length, and in safe condition. This provides guidelines for acceptable seating.
- Parade: Specifically refers to the authorized special event known as the “Ogden’s Pioneer Days Parade”.
- Service Animal: Defined as a dog specially trained to assist individuals with blindness, hearing impairments, visual disabilities, or other physical or emotional disabilities. Service animals are permitted, unlike other animals.
- Sleeping Bag: When fully opened, it should not exceed the size of a queen-size blanket or 60 inches by 80 inches. This defines the size limit for sleeping bags used for reserving space.
These definitions help clarify the permitted items and areas for the Pioneer Days Parade, ensuring everyone is operating under the same understanding of the regulations.
Shelter Guidelines: What You Can and Cannot Bring
When setting up your viewing spot for the Pioneer Days Parade, it’s important to understand the guidelines regarding shelters and potential obstructions. Ogden City has specific rules to maintain safety and accessibility along the parade route.
Prohibited Shelters:
- Enclosed tents: Any tent that is fully enclosed is not allowed.
- Vehicles and trailers: These are also prohibited as shelters along the parade route.
- Other enclosed shelters: Any structure that creates an enclosed space is not permitted.
Permitted Shelters:
- Cabanas: Cabanas are allowed for shade or weather protection, provided they remain open on all four sides.
Obstructions and Safety:
- No obstructing streets: Your belongings (blankets, cabanas, chairs, sleeping bags) must not block paved street areas.
- Safe positions: You must choose a viewing position that is safe and does not pose a hazard.
- No damage or hazards: Your position should not cause damage or create a hazard to public or private property.
- Distance from intersections: Until Washington Boulevard is closed for the parade, you must remain at least 15 feet away from:
- Stop signs
- Traffic signals
- Crosswalks
- Bus stops
- Sidewalk clearance: A minimum of 4 feet of sidewalk width, along the inner edge furthest from the curb, must be kept clear for pedestrian passage.
- Accessibility: Fire hydrants and private driveways must remain completely unobstructed and accessible at all times.
These guidelines are in place to prevent overcrowding, maintain clear pathways, and ensure safety for all attendees of the Pioneer Days Parade.
Parking and Vehicle Rules
Vehicle access and parking along the Pioneer Days Parade route are restricted to ensure safety and smooth operation of the event.
Parking Restrictions:
-
No parking on parade route: From 6:00 PM the day before the parade until the parade concludes, parking is prohibited on the adjoining parade route. This includes:
- Vehicles
- Motor vehicles
- Trailers
- Tent trailers
-
Staging area exceptions: Only vehicles or trailers that are officially part of the Pioneer Days Parade are allowed in designated staging areas.
-
Towing enforcement: Any vehicle parked in violation of these restrictions may be towed at the owner’s expense.
Reserved Spectator Viewing Areas:
- City-reserved areas: The city may designate and reserve specific public areas for parade viewing. They may also set up and manage seating in these reserved areas.
- Authorized reserved areas: The city may also authorize other entities to reserve viewing areas and manage seating on public property.
These parking and vehicle regulations are essential for maintaining a safe and accessible environment for the Pioneer Days Parade, ensuring emergency vehicle access and pedestrian safety.
Animal Policy During the Parade
To ensure the comfort and safety of all attendees, Ogden City has specific rules regarding animals along the Pioneer Days Parade route.
Animal Restrictions:
- Prohibited animals: From 6:00 PM the night before the parade until the parade concludes, animals are generally not allowed on public property along the parade route and staging areas.
Exceptions:
- Service animals: Specially trained service animals are permitted to accompany individuals with disabilities.
- Parade animals: Animals that are official participants in the Pioneer Days Parade are also allowed.
This policy aims to minimize potential disruptions and ensure a comfortable environment for the majority of parade attendees, while still accommodating service animals and parade participants.
Important Prohibitions for Parade Safety
For the safety and enjoyment of everyone at the Pioneer Days Parade, several specific activities are prohibited:
-
Fireworks and Projectiles: It is strictly forbidden to ignite or discharge any:
- Fireworks
- Air soft guns
- Projectiles of any kind
-
Route Access During Parade: During the parade itself, the following are not allowed on the parade route:
- Walking
- Bicycling
- Exceptions are made for licensed vendors and official parade participants.
-
Open Flames: To prevent fire hazards, the following are prohibited along the parade route:
- Barbecues
- Fire pits
- Open fires
- Bonfires
- Other flammable heat sources
-
Personal Responsibility: Anyone staying overnight along the parade route or attending the parade is responsible for:
- Managing their personal items
- Removing their trash
The city will provide, monitor, and empty trash receptacles to assist with waste disposal.
These prohibitions are crucial for maintaining a safe and orderly environment during the Pioneer Days Parade, protecting both spectators and participants.
Licenses and Permits for Vendors
If you plan to sell goods, or vend food or beverages at the Pioneer Days Parade, it’s essential to comply with Ogden City’s licensing requirements.
Vendor Licensing:
- Required licenses: It is unlawful to stage, present, conduct, or sell goods, food, or beverages at the parade without obtaining the necessary licenses.
- Applicable laws: This includes licenses required under city ordinances and relevant chapters of the city code.
Vendors must ensure they have all the proper permits and licenses before operating at the Pioneer Days Parade, adhering to city regulations for commerce at special events.
Penalties for Violations
Adherence to these regulations is taken seriously by Ogden City to ensure the smooth running and safety of the Pioneer Days Parade.
Class B Misdemeanor:
- Violation consequences: Any person who violates any section of these regulations will be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.
- Punishment: Penalties for a Class B misdemeanor are outlined in the city code.
Understanding the potential penalties reinforces the importance of complying with all regulations set forth for the Ogden Pioneer Days Parade.
Conclusion
By understanding and respecting these regulations, everyone can contribute to making the Ogden Pioneer Days Parade a safe, enjoyable, and memorable event for the entire community. These guidelines are designed to ensure fairness, safety, and order along the parade route, allowing all attendees to celebrate this cherished tradition to the fullest. Enjoy the Pioneer Days Parade!
