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Parade and Display Entries at Hats Off Day
Hats Off Day is a special, grassroots-driven festival and parade where the Heights merchants and local groups take their "hats off" to our community. The spirit of Hats Off Day is one of community gathering, giving back and celebration.
Because this special event is sponsored largely by the Heights Merchants (via the Heights Merchants Association BIA) as their way of thanking and celebrating their customers, Hats Off Day does not permit non-Heights BIA businesses or vendors to participate in Hats Off Day. Burnaby-based non-profits and cultural groups are welcome to participate. Please see parade entry criteria below for more details.
The theme of this year's Hats Off Day is Happy 150th Birthday BC! Please consider our province's unique historical and cultural qualities when planning your presentation in your parade or display contribution to the public.
Entering the Hats Off Day parade
Entering the parade is a wonderful opportunity, privilege and also responsibility. By being in the parade, you are giving back to the community and providing a means of entertaining and delighting the public with your company or organization's creativity and community spirit.
Parade entries must send in their application by the dealine (April 25, 2008).
Parade entrants must be one of the following in order to apply:
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Heights BIA merchants (the BIA is the commercial area on Hastings Street between Boundary Road and Gamma Avenue)
- Local non-profit groups
- Local Burnaby schools and places of worship serving the Heights community
- Burnaby-based non-profit groups
- Non-profit cultural groups representing Burnaby interests, citizenship, and/or ethnicity
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National corporations that serve Burnaby citizens, and that do not have competitors in the Heights may be accepted based on their ability to add value to the Hats Off Day parade and/or other criteria determined by the Hats Off Day Organizing Committee. As such, they will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
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Non-Burnaby non-profits will be accepted by invitation only, based on their ability to add value to the Hats Off Day parade and/or other criteria determined by the Hats Off Day Organizing Committee.
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Elected officials representing Burnaby (including heads of national or provincial parties) are permitted to be in the parade, but unelected political candidates or representatives of political parties may not be. Campaigning on Hats Off Day goes against the spirit of what the day is about.
The Hats Off Day Organizing Committee has instituted new guidelines and criteria for creative presentation in the parade. This will help us build up a more interesting, entertaining parade for our public, over time.
The use of any signs, banners or advertisements advancing political or social causes is not permitted in the parade.
If you are eligible to enter the Hats Off Day Parade please call Isabel at 604-294-9060 to receive more information and to ask for an application form.
Hosting a Hats Off Day Display
Groups wishing to host a display must send in their application by the deadline (April 25, 2008).
Display participants must be one of the following in order to apply:
- Local non-profit groups
- Local Burnaby schools and places of worship serving the Heights community
- Burnaby-based non-profit groups
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Non-profit cultural groups representing Burnaby interests, citizenship, and/or ethnicity
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Non-Burnaby non-profits will be accepted by invitation only, based on their ability to add value to Hats Off Day and/or other criteria determined by the Hats Off Day Organizing Committee.
The most successful displays are those that are inviting and interactive, but not aggressive in promotion.
If you are eligible to host a display and would like more information, please contact Anita at 604-664-8709.
Political and social groups: In the interest of upholding democracy, in 2008 the Organizing Committee agreed to permit political parties to host displays at Hats Off Day. However, campaigning is not permitted as it is not in keeping with the spirit of the day (giving back and celebrating). Communication efforts (via promotional materials and give-aways) must be respectful of the spirit of the day and not be of a political or commercial nature.
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