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For Units

This is the holiday parade, so that means that ALL holidays in November and December count for this parade. Creativity, people who want to entertain and get dressed up in a costume, and the pure joy of promoting your business or organization is the purpose. 

Applications for the 2024 Kalamazoo Holiday Parade are now open!

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​Entries are $75.00 for non-profits and $100.00 for for-profits.  There are two ways to submit your application: click the link above and fill out the application online; or click on the hard copy application above and fill it out and fax it or mail it. This application allows the event team to help you plan out what the entry will look like and how it needs to be decorated with everyone dressed up in some sort of costume.

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In 2024, parade units are eligible to win two prizes for "best of show." The for-profit organization winner will receive a trophy and the nonprofit winner will receive a cash prize to support the charitable mission.

Our marching bands are front and center and their participation is critical to the success of the event and community celebration. 

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Marching bands participate for free and the transportation costs are covered at the end of the event. If you are associated with a band, high school, or marching band program, please fill out the application (online or on paper) so we can help you be a part of this great tradition. Upon receipt of your application, you will be sent a document explaining the reimbursement process for transportation costs. 

Being a parade unit takes a lot of commitment. And, this is why we have some pretty specific guidelines. The parade application outlines all of them. If you are considering being in the parade, here are some basic guidelines this year:  ​ All walking units should consider a way to make their walking unit have "depth." We recommend that you include a decorated vehicle. No "street clothes" allowed - so that means that everyone has to be dressed for the parade (a hat is not a "dressed for the parade" element. Walking units should be limited to 25 people so that you make the best impression.  Decorations are designed to help people remember your organization or business - a wreath on a truck is not decorations.

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For Volunteers

Volunteers are needed for the Kalamazoo Holiday Parade on Saturday, November 18.  The Maple Hill Holiday Parade features helium balloons, floats, marching bands, and everything in between, including Santa. The parade will host 100 units and follows a 2 mile route through downtown.  It has been a tradition since 1962.

 

Volunteers are needed for a variety of positions including parade lineup staging, helium balloon carriers, gate welcoming, after parade event activities (petting zoo, bands, retail promotions), and general “floaters.”  Shifts start at 9 a.m. and have various time slots throughout the day.  The parade specific volunteers (about 80 needed) work from 9 a.m. to about 11:30 a.m. and after parade shifts run from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

Every position is a fun one and you get to meet some amazing people.

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For Sponsors

Thank you for considering sponsoring the Maple Hill Holiday Parade. Your money goes toward all the things that make our parade, and our community, special! Items like the balloons (including helium/cold air, trainers, set up, etc.), marching bands, character actors, prizes, and more! 

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Helium Balloon Sponsor

$4,500

  • Presenting Sponsor Status​​

  • Listed as presenting sponsor of the balloon, denoted with a banner/sign in the parade

  • Featured in approx 50 TV3 advertisments 

  • Facebook posts

    • exclusive recognition and top logo placement​

    • Facebook cover picture

    • Included in Facebook Ads

    • Testimonial rich info post 2x

  • Website Logo Placement

  • Event Day Exposure

    • Sponsor Banner​

    • Parade Day Activity Booth

    • ​Product Placement Opporutnites​

  • And More!

2023 Sponsors

Cold Air Balloon Sponsor

$3,500

  • Presenting Sponsor Status

  • Listed as presenting sponsor of your balloon with banner/sign in the parade

  • Featured in approx 30 TV3 Advertisments

  • Facebook posts

    • Exclusive recognition​

    • Cover image

    • Included in Facebook ads

    • Information-rich testimonial post

  • Website logo placement with link

  • Event Day Exposure

    • Sponsor banner​

    • Parade Day activity Booth

    • Product Placement Opportunities

  • And more!

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Thank you to our 2023 sponsors!

Event Day Sponsor/ WMU Band Sponsor

$3,000

Thank you to our 2023 sponsors!

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Gold Sponsor

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Thank you to our 2023 sponsors!

$2,500

  • Gold status

    • large logo where applicable ​

  • Thank you in commercials

  • Facebook posts

    • Gold sponsor group post​

    • testimonial post

  • Event Day exposure

    • Parade day booth​

    • product placement

  • Content kit​​

Stage Sponsor

$2,000

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  • Sponsor one of two stages 

  • State Theater Stage- Musical entertainment by local cover bands, appealing to adult audiences

    • Will play throughout the day​

    • Your logo will be on banners surrounding the stage

  • Dance Stage- Local dance crews drawing family and younger audiences

    •  Will dance right after the parade for 2 hours​

    • Your logo will be on banners surrounding the stage

Thank you to our 2023 sponsors!

Silver Sponsor

$1,500

  • Silver status

    • medium logo where applicable ​

  • Facebook

    • Silver sponsor group post​

    • testimonial post

  • Event day exposure

    • booth​

    • product placement 

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Thank you to our 2023 sponsors!

Bronze Sponsor/In-Kind

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$1000

  • Bronze Sponsor Status

    • small logo where applicable​

  • Facebook

    • Bronze sponsor group post​

    • testimonial post​​

  • Event day exposure

    • booth​

    • product placement 

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