Noco Unify - United for Youth green logo
NOCO Unify's Old Town St. Pat's Parade & Celebration logo

Get Ready to Go Green!

We can’t wait to see your creativity and Irish spirit on display at this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade! To ensure our celebration is fun for everyone involved, we’ve established the following safety and design guidelines. These standards are designed to keep the energy high and the environment safe so we can focus on what matters most: celebrating our vibrant Northern Colorado community. Please review the requirements below before submitting your entry!

Float Guidelines & Requirements
  • All floats must comply with City of Fort Collins Special Event Permit requirements.
  • Float approval is subject to City staff and Fire Marshal inspection on parade day.
  • Floats must be structurally sound and capable of safely supporting all riders and decorations.
  • All decorations must be securely fastened; nothing may drag or fall into the street.
  • Decorative materials must be fire‑resistant or flame‑retardant.
  • Maximum float height: approximately 14 feet from ground to highest point.
  • Floats (including towing vehicle) must be able to safely navigate turns along the parade route.
  • Minimum 12 inches of ground clearance required.
  • Total float length should not exceed approximately 55 feet.
  • Floats must be no more than 13 feet in height, or two feet below traffic lights. It is the parade promoter’s responsibility to confirm the height of any overhead structures on the parade route.  
  • At least one fire extinguisher (minimum 2‑A:10‑B:C rating) is required and must be accessible.
  • A second fire extinguisher is required if a generator is mounted on the float.
  • No open flames, fireworks, fuel torches, or flammable liquids allowed.
  • No smoking on or near floats at any time.
  • Generators must be securely mounted and kept clear of decorations and riders.
  • Generators may not be refueled during the parade.
  • All electrical cords must be secured and kept away from wheels, moving parts, and exhaust.
  • Side rails, barriers, or approved restraints are required on floats carrying riders.
  • Riders must remain in a safe, stable position at all times.
  • Children must be supervised by adults at all times while on the float.
  • Riders may not get on or off a float at any time while the float is in motion.
  • Riders may not sit, stand, or ride on the edge of a float at any time.
  • Floats carrying passengers must be equipped with a minimum 42-inch guardrail and a 21-inch mid-rail securely installed around all open sides. 
  • All participants riding bicycles, scooters, mopeds, roller skates, rollerblades, skateboards, or similar mobility devices must wear a properly fitting helmet at all times while in the staging area and on the parade route. 
  • Drivers must possess a valid driver’s license.
  • Drivers must be familiar with their vehicle and float setup.
  • No cell phone use while driving in the parade.
  • Drivers must remain sober and alert at all times.
  • Floats may not stop along the parade route unless directed by parade officials.
  • No throwing, tossing, or handing items to the crowd unless pre‑approved.
  • All participants must follow instructions from parade marshals and city officials.
  • Decorations must be family‑friendly and appropriate for a community event.
  • Political campaign or electioneering messaging is not permitted.
  • Commercial branding is subject to parade organizer approval.
  • All floats are subject to day‑of‑event safety inspection.
  • Floats that do not pass inspection will not be allowed to participate.
  • Failure to comply may impact eligibility for future Fort Collins events

Parade Entry

Registration is now CLOSED

We have officially reached our float capacity for the 2026 Old Town St. Pat’s Parade. We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support from the following local businesses and organizations who will be rolling down the parade route this year.
 
2026 Parade Participants:
 
  • Academy of Arts and Knowledge
  • Anchor Roofing and Solar
  • Avenues Recovery Center
  • Bank of Colorado
  • Be the Gift
  • Blue Federal Credit Union
  • BluSky Restoration Contractors LLC
  • BMCNC/British Motoring Club of Northern Colorado
  • Boys & Girls Club of Weld County
  • CASA of Larimer County
  • CC’s Flowers
  • Colorado Eagles
  • Crest Insurance Group
  • Crossroads Safehouse
  • Debut Theatre Company
  • Dellenbach Motors
  • FLEXX Productions
  • FoCo Roller Derby and FoCo Junior Roller Derby
  • Fort Collins Circus Center & NoCo Clown Club
  • Fort Collins Tours, LLC
  • Friends of Laughing Buck Farm
  • Ginger and Baker
  • High Country Beverage
  • KidsPak
  • KRFC 88.9 FM
  • Larimer County Farmers’ Market
  • LoCo Think Tank / The LoCo Experience Podcast
  • Lucky 27 Barbershop & Social Club
  • McTeggart Irish Dancers
  • MINI of Loveland
  • Neighbor to Neighbor
  • NoCo Party Bus
  • Northern Colorado United For Youth
  • Poudre Fire Authority
  • Poudre Valley REA
  • REMAX Alliance – Downtown
  • Reps & Restore
  • Saint Joseph Catholic School
  • Signarama Fort Collins
  • Tavelli Elementary
  • The Farm at Sparrow Hill
  • The Quarter Project of Northern Colorado
  • VFW Rocky Mountain Post 1781
  • Young Peoples Learning Center
If you submitted an application and participation fee but do not see your organization listed below, please reach out to us immediately at office@nocounify.org.