NASF Downtown Raffle Mania - February
Started in 2012. First weekend of February. Downtown Cadillac offers NASF Downtown Raffle Mania, offering over 100 door prizes to NASF Raffle Button holders throughout the weekend. Buy a NASF button and come downtown Friday Sunday to find your button number listed on a NASF Raffle Mania flyer hung at participating stores. If you're number is listed, you are a winner at that business. See www.nasfcadillac.com for details.
Requests needed:
• Verification letter sent to NASF/CAVB office to ensure event is on schedule
• Sandwich Board use DDA request to use
• Insurance & Permits none needed
Promo needed:
• Member participation survey businesses can give away as much as they want, they pick the button number(s) & post them on poster provided.
• Website update/ apps linked & social media
• Added to Community Calendars
• Press Release for news date release, event update release (esp new items)
• Printed Material Pre-event poster, pre-event handout, event map, Raffle Mania poster
• Advertising regional & local print, TV PR
• PR Rise up, Rotary, Jaycees
• Follow up evaluation for merchants
Trail of Tales - March
Started in 2012. Second & third weekend of March, finalized over St. Patricks Day weekend. A Storytellers festival combining the talents of writers of books, music, videos, poets and movies to celebrate the tales of our real and fairytale lives. This event kicks off on Friday, March 9 in Downtown Cadillac Stores, The Wexford Public Library and theater offering exhibit area to showcase the Storytellers. This will continue thru the week to a grand finale on Saturday, March 17 where the storytellers will be on site to meet, greet and perform. On Saturday, March 19 you will be able to travel the Trail of Tales with a passport to celebrate Storytelling. Showcases local book authors, musicians, videographers, poets and the various ways storytellers celebrate literacy every day. This event supports March as National Literacy & Reading Month.
Requests needed:
• Street Banner City Council
• Road Closure City Council & Police
• Sandwich Board use DDA
• Insurance none needed
• Sponsorships - $2500, $1500, $750, $200 levels solicited in October/ November
Promo needed:
• Author Application
• Host Application
• Website update/ apps linked & social media
• Added to Community Calendars
• Press Release for news date release, artists/host release, event release
• Printed Material event poster (200), event handout (at counter), event map (day of), showcase program (2 weeks prior to kick off)
• Advertising regional & local print, TV PR
• PR Rise up, Rotary, Jaycees
ART WALK - May
Art Walk begins on May 1, ends on last Saturday of May with Meet the Artist Day. Over 20 artists & hosts, and 10-20 vendors participate in Meet the Artists Day. Artists are located in a downtown store. Vendors are located on a closed street, preferably Harris Street between Mitchell and Elk Avenue. New in 2010, second Thursday of May is the Art Walk - Art & Wine showcase, held at a larger facility, hosting 10-12 upscale artists, 100+ art enthusiasts and is a partnership event with the Wexford Historical Society, the Cadillac Arts Council and the DCA. This event is located downtown in an empty storefront or at the Historical Museum.
Community events: Monday hosts Rotary Stride for Strive 5k (Carl T museum to Stadium), Veteran's Parade starts at Pavilion ends at Stadium. Should consider float in this parade.
Requests needed:
• Street Banner City Council
• Road Closure City Council & Police
• Sandwich Board use DDA
• Insurance for Art & Wine Showcase location
• Liquor License for Art & Wine Showcase
• Float entry Veterans association
• Sponsorships ($1500) Major $500, Map $125, Posters $125, Showcase $750
Promo needed:
• Artists Application
• Vendor Application
• Host Application
• Website update/ apps linked & social media
• Community Calendars
• Press Release for news date release, artists/host release, event release
• Printed Material event poster, event handout, event map, showcase program
• Advertising regional & local print, TV PR
• PR Rise up, Rotary, Jaycees
Farmers Market May to September
Each week, Wednesdays and Fridays, during the day in the City parking lot between the Amvets and the Library. Farmer Market Association coordinates it with City approval. DCA should assist in promoting this event and the local farmers who participate. Possibly work to moving this on Elk Avenue in the future.
Jazz in the park May to September
Each week Thursdays, 7pm in the evening at the Rotary Performing Arts Pavilion. Coordinated thru the CAVB, booked by World Class Jazz ProductionsVarious artists, 6pm 8pm. DCA should assist in promoting this event and the local performers who participate. Performers come in from all over the US, additional assistance would create goodwill for our community.
Fourth of July/Independence Day Celebration - JULY
Fourth of July weekend (or weekend immediately after), Saturday Fireworks. The DCA collaborates with the CAVB, Footliters (parade) and local organizations, non-profits, & churches to put on a weekend of fun in the city park and downtown. The DCA organizes the Water Fire' event, tribute to our veterans on the lake shore the evening before the fireworks. The over-all day of events is to keep people downtown from late lunch until the fireworks, with finger food in the park, entertainment at the Rotary Pavilion, a parade and a few carnival style activities between the parade and fireworks. This is a fully cooperative effort, lead by the CAVB.
DCA Requests needed:
• Sandwich Board use DDA
• Street Banner CAVB requests for over-all event
• Sponsorship - $500 over-all, $100 supporting (5), tributes by donation
DCA Promo needed:
• Restaurant Sign-up applications, $50 fee
• Website update/ apps linked & social media
• Press Release info to CAVB for news
• Printed Material & advertising (group) event poster, event handout
• PR Rise up, Rotary, Jaycees, Kiwanis, Zonta, Garden Club, etc
ART FESTIVAL JULY
Third weekend of July. Artist Association & Arts Council Event. DCA assists with parking and promotion of event. Possibility to provide the beer & wine tent during this event. Event starts now on Fridays, ends at 5pm on Saturday. Artisan booths in the City Park (Juried participation).
SIDEWALK SALES JULY
The last weekend of July, a DCA event. Friday & Saturday in-store and on sidewalks throughout downtown event. DCA balloons handed out. Local musical artists are encouraged to use soap boxes in front of service' storefronts, and local non-profits are encouraged to have small information booths in front of service' storefronts as well. Coincides with Lakeview Lutheran Manors Bark in the Park and Lumberman's Triathlon on Lake Cadillac.
Requests needed:
• Street Banner City Council (will need to look at banner in 2012)
• Sandwich board use DDA
Promo needed:
• Event sign-up merchants for promotional use
• Vendors on sidewalks - service non-profit/artists need to be solicited to participate
• Prize solicit prize package for downtown drawing (by $20 get a ticket to enter to win)
• Website update - poster linked, list of participants
• Community Calendars
• Press Release for news date release, event release
• Printed Material event poster (200), participant list, drawing poster
• Advertising newspaper, radio & social media of individual stores
• PR Chamber Rise up, Rotary, CAVB event listing
Festival of RACES - Labor Day WEEKEND September
Previously held on Labor Day Monday. 2012 moved to Saturday to build a multiple day event. 8 different races will start in the City Park, additional booths and activity are planned. DCA members will participate in a RaffleMania tied to the runners bib numbers to bring them downtown after their race potential for 300+ people.
Requests needed: none
Promo Needed:
• event digital flyer/ web list for FOR web link, all on-line registration offers opportunity to increase DCA social media
• Event Posters for Day of to issue to participating merchants
• Follow up evaluation
Cadillac High School Homecoming September
Typically the first or second weekend of September. CHS Event. Parade is early afternoon, with tailgating at CHS mid afternoon, football game, then evening event.
Parade route starts at city parking lot, towards Mitchell street, north on Mitchell street, west on chestnut to the school. Non school floats do not participate.
Requests: none from City
Promo needed:
• Request downtown involvement with CAPS, in past art students painted windows downtown, poster contest? Tie-in to CHS theme
• Stores/ Businesses to decorate for Homecoming & offer Cadillac memorabilia
BUS TOUR/ COLOR TRAIN SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER
BUS: work with CAVB to contact southern bus companies and assist in coordinating bus tours.
TRAIN: Typically coordinated through the CAVB & City. Need to work on this early spring to ensure a train is coming north.
Requests needed:
• Sandwich board use DDA (directional for parking & pedestrian traffic)
• Notice be sent to all DDA businesses of train/group arrival
Promo needed:
• Event notification via e-mail to members
• Website updated member page only if no continuing train opportunity
• Printed Material downtown map to give to train attendees at disembarkment
• Advertising possibly in Train souvenir book
• Social Media Cadillac Facebook event
• PR coupons to train attendees coordinated through CAVB for a return trip
FALL FEVER FESTIVAL - September
4th weekend of September. DCA event. Friday setup. Saturday full of events: Inflatable kids play (2-3), Games, Pee Wee Dog Show (Express yourself promotions), Area Mascot Contest (Firstbank), Classic Car Show, local food booths (various), farmers market booths, parade (if more than 30 entries), Craft Beer Tent, Craft Soda Tent, Disc Golf Tournament, etc.
New idea for 2012: Halloween costume & décor swap tent (proceeds to Project Christmas)
Requests needed:
• Street Banner City Council
• Road Closure City Council & Police(HARRIS STREET)
• Sandwich Board use DDA
• Insurance Liquor License (beer & wine) under tent on Lake Street
• Parade Request route verified, permit app
• Sponsorship Event $1000, Support $250 (budget needed: $3000)
Promo needed:
• Members committee & day of activity involvement
• Website update/ apps linked & social media
• Parade applications mailed and posted in July
• Mascot applications mailed and posted in July
• Community Calendars
• Press Release for news date release, artists/host release, event release
• Facebook Craft Beer has own page
• Printed Material event poster (200), event handout (2000), separate for Craft Beer for Bars
• Advertising regional & local print, TV PR
• PR Rise up, Rotary, Jaycees
Moonlight Madness - October
The Wednesday before Halloween, a DCA event, brought back in 2011. DCA event marker used. Local musical artists are encouraged, and local non-profits are encouraged to have small information booths. Goal : to draw as many people downtown as possible.
2012 Ideas: a Monster Mash Musical Chair parade (instead of scavenger hunt) line store fronts with chairs, loud music, lots of prizes/ one winner per block, walk sidewalks, each block removes a chair??
Requests needed:
• Street Banner City Council (will need a banner in 2012)
• Sandwich board use DDA
Promo needed:
• Event sign-up merchants for promotional use
• Vendors solicit in August, on sidewalks for Trick or Treating- service non-profit/artists need to be solicited to participate
• Prize solicit prize package for downtown drawing (by $20 get a ticket to enter to win)
• Website update - poster linked, list of participants
• Community Calendars
• Press Release for news date release, event release
• Printed Material event poster (200), participant list, drawing poster
STORYBOOK CHRISTMAS - November
Thanksgiving weekend since 2011, prior was first weekend of December. Coordinated with City Recreation office for Annual Tree Lighting & Santa Welcome on Friday evening in the City Park starting at 5pm, with carols at 5:30pm, Storybook & live entertainment on stage including Rev. McMahon (First Baptist Church) & local talent. As the sun sets, the Lighting Crew begins the lighting of the lakefront (1.5 miles) at 6:00pm. Welcome the arrival of Santa from across Lake Cadillac by Four Winns boat to the City Park docks around 6:15pm. Santa is welcomed by the City Mayor and children, who walk him to the Tree Light Lever where he helps light the Community Christmas Tree at 6:30pm. Santa then greets and listens to the children in the Santa House/Tent until 9pm, and retires to the North Pole.
Saturday, Santa arrives in downtown Cadillac to receive children from 10:30am until 4pm at a Downtown location. 10am Jingle Jog 1k, 5k (Toy Town sponsor, Toys for Tots' Fundraiser). Businesses host a Downtown Holiday Open House activities in conjunction with Small Business Saturday, door prize drawings, specials and entertainment throughout the day from 10am 4pm, many stores downtown will be open after 5pm to assist Holiday shoppers.
Requests needed:
• Street Banner City Council
• Road Closure City Council & Police(Lake Street Friday evening)
• Jingle Jog City Council
• Sandwich Board use DDA
• Sponsorship typically $250 x 5 to cover cost of 100 hard cover books, additional $500 to cover event insurance
Promo needed:
• Storybook is picked in June with the first meeting to verify participation and secure Santas.
• Member Open House activity solicitation entertainment, sales
($1000 cost)
• Website update/ apps linked & social media tie-in to Small Business Saturday promo
• Community Calendars
• Press Release for news date release, artists/host release, event release
• Printed Material event poster, event handout
• Advertising regional & local print, TV PR
• PR Rise up, Rotary, Jaycees
LADIES NIGHT & Men's Shopping Night Downtown Cadillac - December
Starting November 1, anyone can obtain Downtown Holiday Passports at participating stores to help drive purchases downtown thru the Christmas Season. Ladies night first Thursday of December. Men's Night second Thursday of December.
Requests: none
Promotion:
• Kick off event with Posters & handouts to promote the event during Fall Fever Festival & Moonlight Madness
• Downtown Holiday Passport: The Passport will host key personal information about each loved one. Also a list of participating stores will be on the passport.
• Passport Prize(s): retailers will have prize forms for passport users to fill out to win gift certificate prizes the last weekend before Christmas.
• Store Hours: Downtown stores will stay open until 9pm on specific evenings offering beverage and food tasting's, social time, free wrapping, massages, etc.
• List of offers' to draw people downtown those nights
• Engage the restaurants & bars
DISCONTINUED DCA EVENTS
March In for Sidewalk Sales - MARCH
Second weekend of March. Indoor sidewalk sales event, sign up over 15 downtown merchants, large red dots available to place in front windows. Store encouraged to have lots of Sale items available with new inventory too.
Easter Egg Unscramble - APRIL
The Saturday before Easter. Word scramble throughout downtown to win a prize. All merchant participants receive an egg for their front window and small egg for inside store. The small egg is hid, the customers find the eggs, write down the letters and try to unscramble the phrase. Once the phrase is unscrambled, they enter their name to win 1 of 4-6 prizes donated from downtown businesses. The Easter bunny arrives downtown during this event for photo opportunities. In 2010 the DCA collaborated with the Jaycees to cross promote their No Egg Left Behind' egg hunt in the City Park the same weekend.
