University of Toledo Homecoming

Download 2026 Parade Rules and Regulations

Welcome Back, Student Organizations!

It’s that exciting time of year again—Homecoming season! The 2026–2027 Blue Key class is thrilled to announce that we will be organizing the Edward C. and Helen G. Schmakel Homecoming Parade. We would love to see your organization join in the celebration, which will take place on Saturday, October 10th.

This year’s theme is “Olympus Unleashed!” We can’t wait to see how your organization brings this Olympus Unleashed-inspired theme to life! As always, floats are one of the biggest highlights of the parade, and we are eager to see your creativity shine.

During these meetings, we will review the competition rules, answer any questions, and accept participation fees.

If your organization would like a more detailed explanation or has specific questions, our committee members would be happy to attend one of your meetings. Please contact us at the email address below to schedule a visit.

We are aiming for the highest level of student participation yet, and we can’t wait to see the creativity, school spirit, and teamwork your organizations bring to this year’s parade. Thank you in advance for helping make the 2026 Edward C. and Helen G. Schmakel Homecoming Parade a memorable success!

Sincerely, Blue Key

UToledoBlueKey@gmail.com

Jacob Slutsky, Administrative Chair: jacobslutsky2@gmail.com

Float Dimension Regulations

Maximum Dimensions of Float Bed

1. Width: 10 feet
2. Length: 25 feet

Maximum Float Dimensions

1. Width: 10 ft
2. Length: Parts of the float may extend longer than the 25-foot length of the float bed
3. Height: Decorations may not rise higher than 12 feet from the float bed

Decorated Float Rules

• Total maximum width of the float is to be 10 feet. Parts of the float may extend longer than the 25-foot length of the float bed. Decoration may not rise higher than 12 feet from the float bed.
  • 10-point deduction for exceeding maximum dimensions
• Floats cannot contain any decorative materials other than pomping materials. This includes any additional prop that may be added to the float, tarps, painted decorations, etc.
  • 10-point deduction for each item that is not pomped
• No float can travel under its own power source.
• Motors are allowed on the float for the sole purpose of moving individual parts of the float.
• No political endorsements are allowed on a float or in the vehicle pulling the float. This includes signage, clothing, flyers, etc.
• FOOD IS PERMITTED before and during the parade, but a “Food Description Form” (found on InvoNet) must be filled out before the day of the parade with details about the type and amount of food you will be bringing.
• NO ALCOHOL is permitted on the float or in the vehicle which is pulling it before, during or after the parade. 
  • Any organization found to be violating this rule will immediately be disqualified
• NO outside open containers except for water bottles filled only with water are permitted before or during the parade. Items supplied by vendors/student ambassadors at the event are the only exception. This ban includes, but is not limited to outside soda cans, plastic bottles, hydroflasks/stanleys, blender bottles, etc.
  • 3-point deduction for each outside non-water bottle
• No alcoholic beverages are allowed at the building site.
  • First Infraction: Warning, Second Infraction: 15-point deduction, Third Infraction: Disqualification
• No one is permitted to be on or under the float bed in any way at any time during the parade or judging.
  • 3-point deduction for each individual on/under float
• A reasonable number of persons may ride inside the bed of the pickup truck. Blue Key reserves the right to limit such numbers for safety reasons at their discretion. All persons must be seated inside the truck bed. No one is to be standing in the truck bed, sitting on the edges of the truck bed, or sitting on the tailgate. Tailgate must be closed at all times.
  • 3-point deduction each recorded violation
• Participants riding in vehicles pulling floats must be seated at all times. All vehicle doors are to be closed. All extremities are to be within the vehicle.
  
  • 3-point deduction each recorded violation
• NO standing on running boards while the vehicle is moving.
  • 3-point deduction each incident
• NO disrespectful behavior to any faculty/staff member, member of Blue Key, or anyone else in the parade or along the parade route. Blue Key reserves the right to prevent any participant from walking in the parade if they are deemed to be highly intoxicated.
  • 5-point deduction for each incident of disrespectful behavior
  • 10-point deduction per individual removed from parade
• NO cursing/foul language before or during the parade.
  • 1-point deduction each incident
• Absolutely NO damage to other organization’s floats and/or cars.
  • Immediate Disqualification
• Limit of three organizations per float.

Failure to pay fines by the start of the 2027 Spring Semester will result in a one year suspension.

Decorated Cars/Trucks

• Cars/Pick-ups will be judged using the same categories as floats.
• There are no construction restrictions for decorated cars.
• There may be no decorations covering the front window, passenger’s window, driver’s window, or back window. Only rear window decorations are permitted (both passenger and driver sides) at the discretion of Blue Key.
• Decorations inside the vehicle are permitted, but they may not obstruct the view of the driver.
• Decorations must be securely attached to the vehicle.
• The car itself must be safe to drive, and must be able to clear any overhead obstruction of 12 feet. 
• No political endorsements are allowed on or in the decorated vehicle. This includes signage, clothing, flyers, giveaways, etc.
• NO ALCOHOL is permitted in the vehicle at any time before, during or after the parade.
  • Immediate Disqualification
• NO outside open containers except for water bottles filled only with water are permitted before or during the parade. Items supplied by vendors/student ambassadors at the event are the only exception. This ban includes, but is not limited to outside soda cans, plastic bottles, hydroflasks/stanleys, blender bottles, etc.
  • 3-point deduction for each outside non-water bottle
• A reasonable number of persons may ride inside the bed of the pickup truck. Blue Key reserves the right to limit such numbers for safety reasons at their discretion. All persons must be seated inside the truck bed. No one is to be standing in the truck bed, sitting on the edges of the truck bed, or sitting on the tailgate. Tailgate must be closed at all times.
  • 3-point deduction each recorded violation
• Participants riding in the decorated vehicles must be seated at all times. All vehicle doors are to be closed. All extremities are to be within the vehicle.
  • 3-point deduction each incident
• NO standing on running boards while the vehicle is moving.
  • 3-point deduction each incident
• NO disrespectful behavior to any faculty/staff member, member of Blue Key, or anyone else in the parade or along the parade route. Blue Key reserves the right to prevent any participant from walking in the parade if they are deemed to be highly intoxicated.
  • 5-point deduction for each incident of disrespectful behavior
  • 10-point deduction per individual removed from parade
• NO cursing/foul language before or during the parade.
  • 1-point deduction each incident
• Absolutely NO damage to other organization’s floats and/or cars.
  • Immediate Disqualification
• Limit of three organizations per vehicle. 

Sample Rubric

Judging

Floats will be judged by the following categories:

1. Relevance to Theme (“Olympus Unleashed”) - 15 Points Max
2. Originality - 10 Points Max
3. Mechanics and Structure - 10 Points Max
4. Overall Appearance - 10 Points Max
5. School Spirit - 5 Points Max

Five Members per organization may present their float to the Judges. 
Organizations are encouraged to have members present to show school spirit.

Final Scoring

• There will be five individual judges.
• Each judge will award points in all five categories based on the scales above (50 possible points per judge).
• The scores from each judge will then be totaled (250 possible points).
• Trophies will be awarded for first, second, and third place floats.
• In the event of a tie, the lowest three category scores will be added together for each participant involved in the tie. The one with the greatest three category point total will be the winner.
  • In the event a tie persists, the next lowest category will be added to the total until a winner is determined.

Example Final Scoring Breakdown

Team 1 Lowest 3: 5+9+10 = 24 points
Team 2 Lowest 3: 10+10+5 = 25 points

Post-Parade Information

• Organizations awarded first, second, and third place in the float competition are expected to bring their floats to the student tailgate immediately after the parade’s conclusion.
  • Floats placed in the Top 3 of the Homecoming Parade may not be left at the student tailgate for more than 5 hours after the tailgate’s conclusion.
• All other organizations may bring their floats to the University of Toledo’s College of Engineering Campus for deconstruction.
  • Dumpsters marked for Homecoming will be provided for deconstruction. Only these specially marked dumpsters may be used.
  • Floats must be deconstructed and their trailer must be removed from the premises within 72 hours of the parade.
• Following the parade’s conclusion, organizations’ may meet with Blue Key to review their organization's scoring.
  • Scoring is final and no adjustments will be made.
  • Organizations may only view their scoresheet. No other scoresheet will be provided.
• Failure to abide by any post-parade requirement will result in a $25 dollar fine.