Parade Captains Meeting Information
Contact Information
For Homecoming wagon questions or light problems, call Nittany Mountain Trail Rides at 814-880-5100 and select extension 4.
Accessories Provided
The Parade Committee will provide:
- A safety chain with two screw links
- An orange slow-moving vehicle triangle
Nittany Mountain Trail Rides will provide the following with each wagon:
- A light kit in a bag with left and right tail lights
- Six drywall screws
- Wire with a connecting plug
- Six zip ties for securing the wires
- A bolt with either two standard nuts or one locking nut
- An instruction sheet
Hitching the Wagon
- If you are using a ball-hitch insert, remove the hitch ball.
- Slide the wagon tongue over the flat plate and align the holes.
- Insert the bolt through the hole in the bumper or the flat plate of the hitch insert.
- If using two standard nuts, tighten the second nut firmly against the first to lock them together. If using a locking nut, only one nut is needed.
Installing the Safety Chain
- Loop the chain around the wagon's front axle and frame. Secure it with a screw link, grab hook, or another closed link.
- Loop the chain around the wagon tongue.
- Secure the chain to the tow vehicle using the bumper supports, hitch safety-chain holes, hitch frame, or vehicle frame.
- Use the screw links to close the loops at the ends.
Installing the Tail Lights
- Identify the left and right tail lights using the markings on the lights and mounting boards.
- Fasten the metal lights to the bed pieces—the heavy planks that run the length of the wagon.
- Mount the lights at the back of the wagon where they are visible but do not extend beyond the sides. Two of the three supplied screws are sufficient for each support board.
- Run the wires neatly along the wagon frame and secure them with zip ties.
- Run the wires over the front axle and along the tongue to the tow vehicle's light connection. Leave enough slack for turning.
- Use an appropriate adapter or wiring harness if the vehicle does not have a compatible plug. Tell us when the wagon is delivered if you need a harness extension.
- Test the lights with the tow vehicle before decorating the float. All light kits are tested before delivery.
Protecting and Returning the Wagon
These wagons are essential equipment for the farmers who lease them for the parade and have a current used value of approximately $3,000 each.
- Do not make any permanent changes to the wagon.
- You may lengthen the wagon, but do not remove any parts.
- If a board is damaged or defective, you may replace it.
- Secure the wagon and guard the float before the parade to prevent theft, damage, or sabotage.
- Leave the lights on the wagon; Nittany Mountain Trail Rides will remove them during recycling.
- Bring the wagon to recycling on Sunday afternoon.
