We hope that you can join us and host a parade unit. The Do-Dah parade is a 40 year plus tradition full of laughter, community celebration, and a little bit of the “how did they come up with that?” feel.  It is focused on promoting businesses, organizations, and everything in between through the creative design of a parade unit. It is entertainment on the streets of downtown Kalamazoo.  

 

The date is Saturday, June 7 with step off at 11 a.m. In all its tradition, Do-Dah entries are designed either through a satire or the annual theme. No matter what you do, your business is best promoted by making your parade unit engaging and memorable. The application deadline is May 19; however, they can be submitted after that date, but priority placement in the parade won’t be available (because the parade line up will already be done and published). The cost is $70 for nonprofits, community groups, governmental groups.  The cost is $85 for businesses or for-profit entities. Application is made online or by mailing in the application.  Once your unit is accepted, you will receive an invoice and you can pay either by check or credit card (credit cards have a 3% service fee). Payment must be received prior to entry in the parade.

 

There are two ways to participate and decorate your parade unit.  The traditional way is through a satire.  That means that you use the process of a satire to make “light” of a person, place or thing.  It’s how Saturday Night Live does it.  And, if you think about it, there are a number of things that we can turn into something to laugh about.  The other way is to follow our annual theme.  This year, the theme is “Once Upon a Time.”  It doesn’t need to be literal like a storybook tale, it can be “Once upon a time, our company did “this.”  You take creative control and define what comes after the …...’s.

 

The application is best submitted via online.  We encourage you to read all the rules and regulations for being in the parade.  Mostly, the guidelines are all designed to keep everyone safe, consistently valued, and equitable. You are the entertainment of the parade and we depend on you to make this parade something everyone treasures.  You make that happen. As you are filling out the application survey, please understand that we are a phone call away so reach out to us with any questions. And, if you don’t know what to do, we are always full of ideas.

 

Here is the link to fill out an application:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DoDahParade

 

Just a little footnote.  The Do-Dah Parade is subject to a lot of infrastructure costs (roads, barricade, police support, public works) and as such annually looses about $3,000 a year.  If we cannot tighten up the annual lost (which is paid for through KELC), we will no longer host Do-Dah Parade.  This is why you might see the words “final chapter” because it is not feasible to host this parade without financial support and corporate partnerships. We hope that businesses join us as a parade unit, and that we also receive financial support through sponsorship.  We think that Do-Dah is a pretty cool tradition, help us keep it financially healthy.