PLAN OF THE DAY – RUSKIN VETERANS DAY PARADE – NOVEMBER 07, 2026 The Plan of the Day is an official document of 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment - Rough Rider’s Inc. Its contents reflect current orders of the Commanding Officer and official Regimental announcements concerning this event. All members are responsible for reading and understanding the information contained herein. Use common sense and good judgement throughout the day. Be safe. This is a Rough Rider member and a spouse/significant other/+1 only parade/event (must be 18 yrs or older), no minors or other guests are permitted. All Rough Riders must be in uniform and all others must wear a rough Rider T-shirt and sign a waiver to be a participant and utilize the rolling stock. Lt. Col. Rick Ceglio, President Officers In Charge (OIC’s): Captain Kent Gallamore (813) 493-3082 SouthShore Chamber of Commerce is the host of the parade. SCHEDULE Pre-load your beads on the TR float if possible. 7:00 AM – Parade/Float Ops arrive at clubhouse to finish preparing the floats for the parade. 7:45 AM – Rolling stock leave clubhouse (Trolley & TR) The only authorized personnel approved to accompany the floats from the Clubhouse to staging are those essential to Float set up & operations, specifically, the Drivers, OICs, Music Committee DJs, Fleet Maintenance Committee response team and the Parade Operations Committee with new member work crew. No other Rough Riders/Guests will be allowed to ride the vehicles from Clubhouse to staging. 8:30 AM to 10:30am – Staging Area Opens for Floats - The Rough Rider Float will be #16 position in staging and the parade. Number placard must be placed in upper right-hand corner of the tow vehicle’s windshield. 8:30 AM – Float will go directly to the staging location 8:45 AM - The Trolley will arrive at the pick-up location which is just southwest of the VFW post. *Publix Plaza, located at 5052 N US Highway 41, Apollo Beach, FL 33572* - Park in northeast portion of parking lot near but not at the Truist Bank or Taco Bell 8:45 AM – 10:00 AM – The trolley will be available for Rough Riders/Guests wanting to ride into staging from the Publix Plaza -The trolley will shuttle Rough Riders/Guests from the Publix parking lot to staging with drop off at point closest to float in staging. -The trolley shuttle will run every 25 minutes, and all shuttle riders need to be at the Publix Shopping Plaza NO LATER THAN 9:45AM for the last shuttle. -If you arrive after 9:45am then you may have to walk approximately 1.25 miles to staging or find parking closer to the end of the parade route. Several of the roads will be closed at 10:00AM. -Parking is limited and not guaranteed in this plaza -Seating on the trolley is limited and not guaranteed -After last Trolley run, Trolley will return to Publix and await return of the TR. 10:30 AM – Safety and Security briefing at back of TR 10:40 AM – Drivers at the Float 10:45 AM – National Anthem at the TR 11:00 AM – Parade Begins - Parade begins on US Highway 41 at 5th Avenue and travels north to 11th Ave NE. -The Parade will take approximately 1 hour after stepping off and there will be no stopping at the grandstand. -The float will not exit US Hwy 41 at 11th Avenue; all floats/organizations are directed to proceed past 11th Avenue and proceed directly back to home locations. Exit float prior to 11th Avenue to return to stagin1. UNIFORMS a. 2027 'Year Patch' must be affixed to your uniform shirt. b. In accordance with the provisions of Standing Rule 3 – Uniforms: Lt. Col Ceglio is authorizing the wearing of patriotic red, white, and blue neckerchiefs, and suspenders. • The following items of apparel must still be worn: ✓Uniform Shirt & Khaki Pants ✓Uniform Brown or Black Boots ✓Uniform Rough Rider Hat c. NO BLACK STETSON HATS! d. Members not working as Safety & Security Personnel are prohibited from wearing ballcaps, visors, or other headgear during the parade. e. Safety & Security Personnel are prohibited from consuming alcohol and distributing beads. 2. STAGING a. The Rough Riders are at #18 in the staging area, which is estimated to be south east of the shulttle drop off point. b. Parking is available at various locations. Shuttle from Publix to staging will occur from 9:00-10:00 am. Recommended parking is behind the Dollar General and old Post Office store at 503 N. US Hwy 41, Ruskin, FL 33570 and be accessed via 7th Ave. Parking at St. Anne Catholic Church is NOT available. c. Food, non-alcoholic, and alcoholic (beer) drinks will be available on the floats. d. No cardboard bead boxes, or plastic bags allowed in staging or along the parade route. Get your beads ready before you arrive in staging. e. Float and Trolley will leave the Clubhouse at 7:30 AM f. Opaque cups only. No glass or cans allowed in staging/parade route. g. Do not stand in the road at staging to keep free for emergency vehicles traffic 3. PARADE a. Non-Rough Riders/guest/visitors must wear a Rough Rider T-shirt and complete waiver before boarding any rolling stock or walk with the Rough Riders during the parade. b. If you can walk, WALK! The parade is a total of 0.8 miles in length. c. Members/guests must stay with RR float for the entire parade. Do not get ahead of the lead OIC/Parade Marshall or get more than 10 feet behind the Float. d. No throwing of beads from staging or disbanding areas. No throwing of business or promotional items, glass, Styrofoam, confetti, balloons, or candy during the parade. No firearms, silly string or water guns allowed at any time. e. Please only throw your own beads that you bring. Theft will not be tolerated. f. Please use discretion and do not solicit or encourage parade spectators to do anything inappropriate. No stamping, tattooing, or marking of spectators or participants. g. Exercise caution when getting on and off the float while it is moving in staging or during parade. h. Be mindful of Parade Marshals and Safety & Security Personnel. They are there to ensure your safety. i. Any incident or accident must be reported immediately to an OIC or Safety & Security Personnel. j. Parade ends at 11th Ave NE. DO NOT EXIT THE PARADE UNTIL THE END OF THE PARADE ROUTE. k. Follow all local Law Enforcement directions. 4. POST PARADE a. At the end of the parade, the float vehicles will allow Rough Riders, and our Safety/Security Volunteers to ride on the rolling stock back to the Publix Plaza parking lot (disbanding location). All persons mut be on float by 7th Street. b. The rolling stock will be departing for the club house after dropping off all riders; please take all your belongings. c. The only authorized personnel approved to accompany the floats from the parade to the Clubhouse are those essential to Float set up & operations, specifically, the Drivers, OICs, Music Committee DJs, Fleet Maintenance Committee response team and the Parade Operations Committee with new member work crew. No other Rough Riders/Guests will be allowed to ride the vehicles to the Clubhouse from the parade. Please make your own arrangements to get back to the Clubhouse, if applicable. d. Drive safely or make alternate arrangements to get home. You do not want to be in the back seat of a Law Enforcement car!! e. Recover any items you left on the floats from the Clubhouse during business hours, Monday-Friday, 11AM – 4PM. Items not picked up by November 30th will be disposed of or donated. Additional Information: a. The VFW will have food and drink specials after the parade. There will be limited/no parking at the VFW! The Publix Plaza is approximately 100 yards south-west of the VFW location. Do not park in the median on US HWY 41.
