2026 Participant Information 

🤠 WELCOME, PARADE PARTICIPANTS!

53rd Annual Rowland Heights Buckboard Days Parade & Festival

Saturday, October 17, 2026

WANTED: A GOOD TIME! Keeping the Community Wild & Safe!

We're excited to have you join us for this year's parade!

This page contains important information about participant check-in, staging locations, student drop-off, parade safety, and exit procedures.

Please review these instructions carefully and share this page with your drivers, teachers, chaperones, group leaders, and participating families.

Parade: 9:00–10:30 AM
Festival: 10:30 AM–1:30 PM
Festival Location: Rowland Heights Park

⭐ FRIDAY EARLY CHECK-IN — STRONGLY ENCOURAGED

Friday, October 16, 2026 | 3:30–6:00 PM

📍 Rowland Heights Park — Gazebo Behind the Park Office

We strongly encourage all parade groups to complete early check-in on Friday. Saturday morning is extremely busy, and checking in early helps reduce congestion and allows our volunteers and safety personnel to focus on safe parade operations.

Only ONE representative per group needs to attend. Representatives may collect materials for their entire group, including vehicles that are not physically present.

What you'll receive:

Walking groups: Two numbered bibs per group. Safety pins are available, or you may use another secure attachment method. Bibs must be displayed by two different participants on the judges' side.

Vehicle entries: One green pre-check visor tag and two numbered placards per vehicle. Tape will be available if needed.

Parade programs: Available upon request. Larger groups are encouraged to collect programs Friday rather than carry them Saturday morning.

Combined groups: One representative may collect both walking and vehicle materials.

Group representatives are responsible for distributing all materials to their participants and drivers before parade morning.

Can't make it Friday? Saturday check-in will still be available.

🚶 SATURDAY CHECK-IN — WALKING GROUPS

📍 Rowland Heights Library — 1850 Nogales Street

7:30 AM — Groups needing Saturday check-in
8:00 AM — Groups already checked in Friday

Walking groups stage on the WEST (church) side of Nogales Street.

Arrive with your group organized and your numbered bibs clearly displayed.

Two different participants must display the numbered bibs on the judges' side.

Follow staging volunteers' directions to your assigned position.

🚗 SATURDAY CHECK-IN — VEHICLES & ANIMALS

📍 Pathfinder Road & Nogales Street

7:00 AM — Vehicles needing Saturday check-in
7:30 AM — Vehicles already checked in Friday

Vehicle Arrival Directions:

Approach WESTBOUND on Pathfinder Road from the east and turn RIGHT onto Nogales Street.

Vehicles and animals stage on the EAST (library) side of Nogales Street.

Vehicles checked in Friday must display their green pre-check visor tags and use the designated pre-check lane.

Each vehicle must display two numbered placards: one at the driver's side front window for the merge team and one on the passenger side for the judges.

Keep all placards clear of the driver's field of vision.

Follow all Sheriff, safety personnel, and staging volunteer instructions.

⏰ FINAL STAGING DEADLINE: 8:30 AM

All parade entries must be in their assigned staging positions by 8:30 AM. The parade begins promptly at 9:00 AM.

🗺️ OFFICIAL PARADE LINEUP & STAGING

Know your parade entry number before arriving Saturday!

All parade participants have assigned staging positions along Nogales Street between Pathfinder Road and Adney Street.

⛪WEST / Church Side: Walking groups

📚EAST / Library Side: Vehicles and animals

Lower entry numbers stage closer to Adney Street at the north end.

Groups with both walkers and vehicles may have assigned positions on both sides of Nogales Street.

VIEW THE OFFICIAL 2026 PARADE LINEUP:

https://www.buckboarddaysparade.org/2026-parade-lineup

Parade Staging & Student Drop-Off Map: Coming soon.

Please follow your assigned staging position and all directions from parade volunteers and safety personnel.

🛑 PARADE SAFETY RULES

The safety of our participants, spectators, and volunteers is our highest priority. All participants must follow these rules throughout the parade.

1. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS
Obey Sheriff deputies, parade staff, safety personnel, and flagger STOP/GO signals.

2. KEEP MOVING
Do not stop to perform unless directed by parade officials or the entry ahead stops.

3. MAINTAIN SPACING
Remain in your assigned parade order and maintain approximately 100 feet between entries when safe.

4. NO GIVEAWAYS
Do not throw or distribute candy, flyers, advertising, promotional materials, or other items to spectators.

5. REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS ONLY
Only registered participants may march. No additional parents, spectators, or other unauthorized individuals may join parade entries.

6. KEEP IT SAFE
No dangerous stunts, obscene gestures, firecrackers, or loud popping effects.

7. VEHICLE SAFETY
Maximum speed is 5 MPH in staging and controlled exit areas. Watch for pedestrians, maintain safe spacing, and keep emergency access clear.

🗳️ POLITICAL CANDIDATES & ELECTED OFFICIALS

We welcome approved parade entries representing elected officials and political candidates.

No active campaigning or solicitation along the parade route.

No distributing campaign literature, flyers, promotional materials, or giveaways.

No stopping to deliver speeches or conduct campaign activities.

Approved parade signs, banners, and vehicle identification may be displayed as authorized by the committee.

All participants must remain with their registered entry, maintain forward movement, and follow parade safety instructions.

Participation in the parade does not constitute an endorsement by the Buckboard Days Parade Committee.

📻 QUESTIONS OR SAFETY CONCERNS

For immediate assistance, find a volunteer wearing a red or blue vest or carrying a walkie-talkie.

Buckboard Days: (909) 293-8041
Call • Text • WhatsApp

For emergencies, call 911.

🏁 PARADE EXIT & FESTIVAL ACCESS

🚶 WALKING GROUPS & STUDENT REUNIFICATION

After completing the parade, walking groups will enter Rowland Heights Park via Banida Avenue.

Stay to the right and continue toward the festival DJ stage for your group's announcement.

Follow directions from parade volunteers and your group leader.

Return all parade-issued banner poles to the Buckboard Days booth after your announcement.

IMPORTANT — STUDENT PICKUP

Each school or youth organization must establish a designated parent pickup location inside the festival grounds.

Children must NOT be picked up on Banida Avenue or in the parking lot. Parents should coordinate reunification arrangements with their child's teacher or group leader in advance.

🚗 VEHICLES EXITING THE PARADE

At Colima Road and Banida Avenue, continue STRAIGHT toward Nausika Avenue.

STOP and WAIT to be waved through by Sheriff deputies or authorized Buckboard Days volunteers.

Maximum speed is 5 MPH through the controlled exit area.

Unless park access has been previously coordinated, all parade vehicles must exit.

🚌 BUS, TRAILER & EQUIPMENT PICKUP

Authorized pickup vehicles must be positioned in designated roadside areas by 8:30 AM, following park vendor load-in.

Roadside spaces may be reserved with cones where vehicle lengths were provided and arrangements confirmed with the committee.

Keep travel lanes clear while loading students, horses, instruments, uniforms, and equipment.

Follow all Sheriff and parade safety personnel instructions.

🚶 ATTENDING THE FESTIVAL AFTER VEHICLE EXIT

Vehicle participants who wish to attend the festival may:

Exit the parade as directed.

Park legally outside the road closures.

Walk into the festival using the Cronin Drive pedestrian walkway via Nausika Avenue.

Do not wait in the roadway for streets to reopen. Law enforcement determines when road closures are lifted.

Thank you for helping us keep parade exits safe and organized!