New Bern Mardi Gras Parade

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Parade registration is $25 (No fee for Sponsors!) Please fill out the registration with payment via the link below.

Or you may mail the form with your payment to: Swiss Bear, Inc. at 316 S. Front Street, New Bern, NC 28560 (with check payable to Swiss Bear, with the subject 2026 Mardi Gras).

PLEASE NOTE: There are NO same-day sign-ups and NO same-day payments. Thank you.

Float/participant types include: floats, truck/trailer, antique cards or motorcycles, horses and riders, horse carriages, dancers, musicians, walking groups, hula hoopers, creative vehicles (tricycles, coolers, pedi-cabs, scooters segways), etc.

Participants are strongly encouraged to dress in Mardi Gras and related costumes.

We will ask you closer to the event the approximate length and width of your float for line-up and ease of flow for the parade, or the approximate number of people in your walking or car or horse group, etc.

All floats MUST be decorated in Mardi Gras colors or decorations.

You're required to purchase Mardi Gras beads ("throws") to toss to spectators. They go very quickly -- get extras!! Candy is fine, too, but not traditional for Mardi Gras.

Please keep your float and costume family friendly!

Parade lineup begins as early at 9:00 AM

PLEASE arrive for line-up no later than 9:40 AM so there is time to get checked in and lined up.

All parade participants must pre-register and pre-pay by January 30th. NO same-day signups and NO same day payments.

Weather: This is an all-weather event and there is no rain date. Swiss Bear, Inc. will address any serious weather concerns and will communicate an cancellation promptly.

SAFETY:

• All minors must have adequate adult supervision whether walking in parade or on a float. Minors riding in the bed of a pickup truck must be accompanied by an adult.
• For those sitting on the float, please make sure they do not hang their legs over the side of the float -- all limbs must be on the float bed.
• Drivers participating in the event must possess a valid driver's license for the class and type of vehicle they are operating.
• Drivers and passengers may have NO alcohol or impairing drugs in their system during the event.
• During the duration of the parade, front windows must be rolled down.
• Staff reserve the right to remove any vehicle from the event if there is a clear violation of North Carolina vehicle safety requirements. (Violations include but are not limited to the following: bald tires, excessive exhaust, improper muffler system, window tinting, etc.)
• Maintain at least 2 car lengths spacing in front of you, but NO MORE.