2026 Azalea Festival Parade

📅 Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
📍 Location: Historic 3rd Street, Downtown Wilmington
📲 Important: Do not register on a mobile device — it may cause errors.

Registration Info

📅 Opens: September 1st, 2025
📅 Closes: March 1st, 2026
💸 Payment Deadline: March 15th, 2026

​🕓 Late Payment: The Festival may decide to allow late payment (from March 2nd to March 15th) with the addition of a $75 Late Fee. Registrants who miss the March 1st Deadline will be contacted with instructions on making a late payment.
❌ Unpaid Entries: Will be cancelled and removed from the Parade Lineup after March 15th 
 

Entry Categories & Fees

Specialties:

Groups or Organizations that do not fall into the other Parade Categories. No Floats or oversized vehicles. Examples include: Clowns, Dance Groups, Skating Groups, Walking Groups, Sudan Shriner Groups

Please note the sub-categories in this registration type

• Specialties ($350) - Registrants that are not designated as a 501c3 non-profit. 
• Non-Profit Specialties ($50) - Registrants in this category must provide their 501c3 Tax Identification Number or Paperwork as Proof. 
• Sudan Shriners (Free) - Must be an official Sudan Shriner Group. 

Marching Bands & ROTC:

Marching Bands, Drumlines, Color Guard, and/or ROTC/JROTC Groups

Please note the sub-categories in this registration type

• Non-Profit Community Marching Bands ($50) - Registrants in this category must provide their 501c3 Tax Identification Number or Paperwork as Proof. 
• School Marching Bands & ROTC (Free) - Must be affiliated with an educational institution. May be a middle or high school band, and/or collegiate band. 
• Community Marching Bands ($350) - Marching bands not affiliated with an educational institution and not designated as a 501c3 non-profit organization. 

Floats:

Groups or Organizations that plan to bring their own float, truck & trailer, or oversized vehicle, OR who will be renting a float through the Festival.

Please note the sub-categories in this registration type

• Non-Profits Bringing Their Own Float ($50)
• Non-Profits Renting a Float Through Festival ($850)
• Groups Bringing Their Own Float ($350)
• Groups Renting a Float Through Festival ($1,200)

Queens/Princesses in Escort Vehicles:

Queens/Princesses riding in escort vehicles. Must provide their own vehicle and car sign.

Please note the sub-categories in this registration type

• 1 Queen/Princess in a Car ($150)
• 2 Queens/Princesses in a Car (Cost $300)

Horse Groups/Auto Clubs: 

Official Car/Motorcycle clubs and horse groups with Coggins documentation

Please note the sub-categories in this registration type

• Auto Clubs ($350 for up to 10 Cars, each additional vehicle is an additional $25)
• Horse Clubs ($350)

Veteran Groups:

Official Veteran Groups and/or Organizations

These groups participate for $10

Float Building Help

Need help creating your own float?
📄Download the Float Building Guide

Important Reminders

❌ No political, religious, or issue-based advertising

✅ Government officials may attend in an official capacity (by invitation only)

📥 Apply online (desktop only)

⏳ Wait for approval before submitting payment

Application & Payment Process

1. Apply online – choose your entry type
2. Wait for approval email
3. Submit payment only after approval
4. Deadline to pay: March 1 or within 2 weeks of approval
5. Late fees: $75 applies March 2–15, if the Festival approves a late payment

Questions?

📞 Parade Line: 910-794-3103
📧 Email: parade@ncazaleafestival.org