​

Thank you for joining us for the 68th Wagon Days! Below are the essential instructions and guidelines for your participation.  If you are in town on Friday,  join us for the Wagon Days Grand Marshals Ceremony at Ketchum Town Square. Enjoy food and refreshments, followed by live music. 

EVENT DETAILS
Parade Date: Saturday, August 31, 2024
Staging Area Arrival (for Pre-Judging): 11:00 a.m.
Sun Valley Road Closure: 12:00 p.m. Plan on being in the staging area well before closure.
Parade Start Time: 1:00 p.m.
Weather: Mostly clear skies with warm temperatures during the day, reaching highs around 78°F.. Perfect weather for a parade! Temperatures will drop in the evening, so bringing layers is advisable.

DRIVING TO STAGING AREA AND RED BARN CAMP
AVOID DRIVING INTO DOWNTOWN KETCHUM 
Preferred Route:

• The City of Ketchum's Main Street is under construction. The parade route is unaffected; however, there are several detours in town, making traveling with trailers difficult.

• Use Elkhorn Road to access the Staging Area. Avoid driving into downtown Ketchum.

• View Map: A Google Maps link and a printed map are included.

Local Residents and Groups: Carpooling will reduce the number of cars at Registration/Staging. Parking is limited. Consider meeting at the Community School Parking Lot and then proceeding to Registration/Staging.

RED BARN CAMPING
Eligibility: Only parade participants are allowed to camp or park overnight.
Liability Waiver Required: All Red Barn campers must sign a waiver.
Passes: Issued upon arrival at the gate—provide your assigned entry number.
Location: Behind the Red Barn on Sun Valley Road (just beyond Idaho Power paddle wheel).
Camping Rules: Complete set of rules will be provided to you upon entering the Red Barn Camp.
Just a few highlights: Camping is allowed on Friday and Saturday nights only. Campers must vacate on Sunday morning. No fires are allowed. Dogs must be leashed and attended to at all times.

PARADE STAGING AREA
Opens: 8:00 a.m., Saturday morning.
Location: Horseman’s Center Pasture (across from the Pavilion in the event parking area).
Access:  No entry from Sun Valley Road. All entries must enter from Dollar Road.
Liability Waiver: All participants entering the staging area must sign a liability waiver to participate in the parade. 
PARKING: Only vehicles towing horse trailers are allowed into the staging line area. Car parking for entries is available at the entrance to the Staging Area. Park your car and walk to your entry line.
 

​

PARADE GUIDELINES

• Safety First: All participants must be experienced parade riders—no exceptions.

• No Candy Tossing: Due to safety concerns, no candy or items are to be tossed to spectators.

• Forward Motion: All units must maintain a continuous forward motion.

• Horse Condition: Horses must be in good condition, sound, and properly trimmed/shod. No mistreatment or rough handling of horses will be tolerated.  Any unsafe rider or horse will be removed from the parade.

• Spacing: Keep a minimum of 10 feet from spectators and 20 feet from the preceding entry.

• Signage Guidelines: Maximum size: 2’x3’ (each entry allowed two signs or one 4’x6’ sign).

• Prohibited Items/Actions:
     - No cigarettes, alcohol, illegal substances, or profanity.
     - No discharge of guns, water guns, balloons, bikes (unless period authentic), or skates.
     - No Distribution: No political literature or candy along the parade route.

 

PARADE JUDGING

Pre-Judging: Begins at 11:00 AM. 
Required only for new wagon, restored/original wagon, carts, buggies, and carriage categories.

• Prejudging is an opportunity for the Judges inspect the vehicles up close.  

• You do not need to be in costume or have horses hitched.

• Judges will come to your wagon, cart, coach, or buggy.

Parade Judging: takes place during the parade.
All entries will be Judged in the parade in the following areas, animals and grooming, costumes, and presentation.  Floats will be judged additionally on theme and originality.   
Judges Stand: Located on Sun Valley Road in front of Idaho Power Water Wheel.

• Do not stop at the Judging Stand.

Awards: Presented at the Participant Picnic. Ribbons and award money, $300 for 1st place, $200 for 2nd place, and $100 for 3rd place. $300 for People’s Choice, $300 for Best of Show

​

PARADE PARTICIPANT PICNIC AND AWARD CEREMONY

Join us after the parade for a complimentary picnic lunch and awards.
Location: Sun Valley Meadows (next to the Catholic Church).
Tickets: Participant button is your ticket to lunch, provided at registration. 
Additional tickets for friends/family: $10 each.