Adam Thorson Director of Parks, Recreation & Special Events

P.O. Box 299 • 1901 Fourth Street • Peru, IL 61354-0299

815-223-1148 x2314 • fax: 815-223-9381 • www.peru.il.us • athorson@peru.il.us

October 19, 2021

Re: Light Up Christmas Parade and Light Up Washington Park

Dear Peru Business Owner,

On Saturday, December 4, 2021, the City of Peru will host the 1st Light Up Christmas Parade

along with Light Up Washington Park. This inaugural event will begin at 5:00p.m. with a Light

Up Parade throughout residential parts of town and downtown Peru which will include floats and

marchers. (Please see the attached parade route.) The parade will begin to lineup beginning at

4:00p.m. The parade procession will begin at 5:00p.m. and last no longer than one hour.

Following the parade, the festivities will continue at Washington Park with a Light Up the Park

event where there will be a tree lighting ceremony, visits and photos with Santa, free hot cocoa,

various family friendly activities, and gifts for the children. Festivities at Washington Park will

conclude by 8:00 p.m.

This will be an exciting evening for all, and the City of Peru would be delighted if your business

would participate in this community event by decorating your storefront window! You are

welcome to be as creative as you would like. Participating businesses will be featured on the

City's Facebook page to encourage everyone to visit your business and check out your storefront

window.

Please consider this opportunity and encourage others to participate! Confirm your participation

with Adam Thorson, Director of Parks, Recreation & Special Events, who is assisting in

coordinating this portion of the event. (Phone: 815-223-1148 ext. 2314 or athorson @peru.il.us)

Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me directly.

Sincerely,

Adam Thorson

Christmas in Peru - Light Up Peru Christmas Parade

Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 5:00pm

Please read the enclosed materials.

Your packet should include the following: If you are missing any items, stop by Peru City Hall, 1901 4th St.

or download form from our website www.peru.il.us or contact Adam Thorson athorson peru.il.us

1. 2021 Parade Entry Form

2. Copy of the 2021 Rules, Regulations and Policies.

3. Copy of the 2021 Parade Waiver

4. 2021 Christmas Parade/Event Flyer

5. Suggested donation form for Christmas for Kids

Mail to: City of Peru

Light up Peru Christmas Parade

1901 4th St

Peru, IL 61354

The following items MUST be returned with your application.

o 2021 Parade Entry Form

o Signed 2021 Parade Waiver form

o Applicant has read and agrees to all 2021 Parade Rules, Regulations and Policies

o Suggested donation form - checks made out to Blue and Red Christmas for Kids.

o This Cover Page completed and signed

This agreement made by and between the City of Peru and __________________________

The applicant has made a request to participate in the Light Up Peru Christmas Parade and should the

City of Peru desire to grant the request, the City of Peru desires that it be held harmless from any and all

liability, cost, and expense resulting or arising from activity or activities.

Therefore, it is agreed by and between both parties that in consideration of the applicant being granted

permission to participate in the parade, the applicant agrees to hold harmless the City of Peru from any

and all claims, demands, losses, expenses, liabilities, causes of action, and all other liabilities and

responsibilities arising directly or indirectly from the activities of the applicant in connection with the

participation in the Light Up Peru Christmas Parade.

Organization/ Applicant- Signature & Date: _______________________________

Organization/Applicant - Printed Name & Date: ___________________________

2021 Parade Entry Form

PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY

Organization, Group or Business: ________________________________________

Contact Person: _______________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________

City: ______________________________________ State: __________________

Zip: ____________________

Phone: Day- ______________________________________ Evening___________________________________

Email: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

TYPE OF ENTRY: Each entry is limited to one motor vehicle. All entries must have Christmas lights,

light up decor, and/or Christmas themed display. Non-decorated entries are not allowed. Parade lineup is

established according to protocol and public safety concerns.

FLOAT Theme/Name: _________________________________________________________________________ MARCHING GROUP/BAND Theme/Name: _________________________________________________________________________ # of members in group: ______________

CLASSIC/UNIQUE CAR Description: ____________________________________________________________________________

(Please provide picture of vehicle)

OTHER

Description: _____________________________________________________________________

Signature of Applicant Date

2021 Parade Rules, Regulations and Policies

1. Completed and signed parade application must be received by November 20, 2021.

2. Applicant forms must be signed by every participating organization and returned with

your parade application.

3. The City of Peru Christmas Committee adopts and amends the rules and regulations.

4. All entries must have Christmas lights, light up decor, and/or Christmas themed display.

5. Each entry is limited to one motor vehicle.

6. All participants in the parade must abide by all rules, regulations, and decisions set forth by The City of Peru.

7. The theme for the parade is Light up the Night.

8. Floats will be judged on appropriateness to the theme, appeal, originality, and overall

effect.

9. The parade will start at Washington Park. It will make its way through residential parts

of town and then proceed through downtown Peru and end at Washington Park. 10. Parade lineup begins at 4:00 pm.

11. Once you or your organization is accepted into the 2021 parade you will be contacted

by Director of Parks, Recreation and Special Events, Adam Thorson.

12. The parade begins promptly at 5:00 p.m.

13. Once you are on the parade route keep your unit moving. Do not stop your unit during

the parade unless you are instructed to do so by the Peru Police.

14. All drivers of motorized vehicles must be 21 years of age or older, must have a valid

driver's license, and must have in their possession the day of the parade proof of

insurance for the vehicle they are driving.

15. In efforts to bring unity to our community through this holiday event, no political

campaigning of any sort will be allowed. This includes parade entries, signage, or any

other means of promotion during the event. This rule will be strictly enforced.

Signature of Applicant Date

Contact Information:

Adam Thorson

City of Peru

1901 4th St.

Peru IL, 61354

815-223-1148 ext. 2314

athorson@peru.il.us

CITY OF PERU PARADE WAIYER I CHRISTMAS IN PERU 2021

I have read and agree to comply with the Participant Rules and Regulations. I fully understand that

participation in the parade involves risks of bodily injury and property damage, which may be caused by

my own actions, or inactions, those of others, the conditions in which the activity takes place, and/or the

negligence of others. I hereby assume and fully accept all risks and responsibility of losses, cost, and

damage I may incur, as a result of my participation in the parade regardless of cause.

I and my successors, heirs and representatives hereby waive, release, and discharge the City of Peru and

its officers, directors, agents, volunteers, managers, members, and employees from and against any and all

claims of liability that may result from my participation in the parade regardless of cause and I hereby

agree not to sue and to indemnify and hold harmless the City of Peru and its officers, directors, agents,

volunteers, managers, members, and employees from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses,

demands, and costs (including reasonable attorney fees) including any property damage, personal injury,

or death that I may suffer or that may result from my participation in the parade.

I further consent to being photographed and/or videotaped during my participation in the parade and

authorize the City of Peru to cause such photographs and/or video to be exhibited with, or without

advertising and I hereby release the City of Peru and its officers, directors, agents, volunteers, managers,

members, and employees from any and all claims for damages based upon the usage or publication of

such images, photographs and/or videotapes.

I have read and fully understand the statements made herein and I voluntarily sign this Waiver and

Release intending to be bound by its terms. I understand that I have given up substantial rights by signing

it and have signed it freely and without an inducement or assurance of any nature and intend it to be a

complete and unconditional release of all liability and agree that if any portion of this waiver and release

is held to be invalid the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect. I intend that this

Waiver and Release be interpreted and construed as broad and inclusive as is permitted by the laws of the

State of Illinois.

If I am executing this Wavier and Release as a parent/guardian, I understand and agree to the above for

my minor.

Name(s) of Minors:

Signature of Participant or Signature of Parent/Guardian Date