Last winter, we decided to enter a float in the lighted Christmas parade. It's a relatively small-scale parade, nothing too elaborate, but ATOMIC puppets won 1st place... and a $200 prize! What a great way to raise funds, AND get your name out in the community.

So now, we plan to enter the big parade for the county fair! Again, there's a cash prize, as well as a longer parade route, bigger crowd, and as you go past the grandstand, they call out a mini bio about your organization... more free publicity!!!

The theme this year is "Reaching for the Stars". We plan to make a huge paper mache' earth (well, the northern hemisphere actually), and have a puppet sitting on top of the world, reaching for the stars. Also, at the end of float, we're going to have a black "space" wall, with bunraku style puppets, dressed as astronauts, floating in space.

Anyway, just thought I'd share this promo idea with you, and see if anyone else has had experience doing parades... and did you get any business from it?

~Ang

If your really hoping this with generate business, you need to have something to pass out...or throw to the people along the parade route. It is a hard sell though. I would suggest some fridge magnets to pass out with of course candy for the kids. If you do pass out personalized fridge magnets, they are a great advertisement people will see everytime they go to the fridge. Make them cute and colorful. People like the eye candy too.

 Have some others in you group walk around with hand puppets to entice the crowd, play with the kids and cause some attention to your float. I have did a few parades and the selling point has to be subtle. People are at a parade to enjoy and not be bombed with advertisement...but it can be done if you are witty and crafty.

Good luck!

I think that is a great idea.  We don't have many parades here in Hawaii and the ones that we do have are organized by invitation only or you have to pay big bucks to get a spot.  I like the idea of throwing out candy and I do have a friend that can do custom designs on candy wrappers if you are interested.  Here is the link to her shop:

http://pixelbypixel.etsy.com

She is a graphic designer and does all my work and promos for me.  She is an amazing artist and since doing business with her, my business has grown tremendously.

Great idea again about the parade.  Thanks for thinking and posting it!

Aloha,
Nikole

Its funny, while i was reading the last posts, i would see in my mind a few folks accompanying the float, with puppets in their hands and going from people to people to give out candy and other goodies.

Its funny how the mind can work sometimes,
Puppet hug,
SHould

I am planning to be in a few parades. I am doing and creating some full size puppets (the concept like Oscar the crouch being carried by the garbage man I like being hid while I am puppeteering ).  I am hoping to have them ready for next spring and summer parades. 

I agree that it is a great way to get the word out.....free.

I agree with Sonny that you need to be subtle and have fun with the advertising part. 

It sounds like you have a great idea and hope you take some pictures and share them with us.

Daryl H

Great idea about Oscar and the trash can being carried....too cute.  Please make sure you show us pictures of THAT!!!

Aloha,
Nikole

Thanks for all the great suggestions... and thanks Nikole for the link to your friend's shop. Looks like she has some interesting things on her site!

I'm itching to start working on the float, but it's still just in the concept stages at this time!

~Ang