2024 After Parade Day Participation Signup

After Parade Day Activity Community Input

The Maple Hill Holiday Parade is scheduled for Saturday, November 23 at 11 a.m. The parade will feature an after-parade community event designed to celebrate the greater Kalamazoo area and to encourage people to explore all the great things to do outdoors, downtown. This is a retail and restaurant driven event and the purpose is to support local businesses and celebrate families and the joy of the holidays.

There are several ways to participate and support after parade activities. We have changed up a couple activities to better align with the Downtown Shops and still provide entertainment, engagement, and a way to shop and eat downtown.

The events are free for downtown business to participate in, but will require each participating business to invest in the success of the event by having their participation be relevant to the goal of the event - participant experience and learning about downtown and building event traditions.

Once your business signs up for an event activity, it is possible that communication about that event will require additional information specific to your businesses contribution to the event (offering a discount, an activity, or a way to engage the attendees.)

As part of our partnership in hosting these after parade day activities, we hope that all participating businesses support social media promotion and staff preparation for a great day that presents the best customer experience.

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* 1. Cherri's Chocol'art Winnie Wink Bars will be available for purchase this year and will be promoted in the after parade day activities promotion. This will be coordinated through Cherri Emery. Please identify if you are interested in participating in this program. Communication and coordination will be through Cherri's Chocol'art.

I am interested - please answer the next question regarding number and types of bars

I would like more information about the event

I am not interested

Other (please specify)

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* 2. If you would like to order Cherri's Chocol'art Winnie Wink Bars, please order here the number and quantity you want. Please note that the order for your business will be forwarded to Cherri and they will get back with you on pricing and delivery.

# of 55% Dark Chocolate Bars

# of 38% Milk Chocolate Bars

# of Toffee Almond Milk Bars

# of Toffee Almond Dark Bars

# of Peppermink Milk Bars

# of Peppermint Dark

# of Toasted Almond Milk

# of Toasted Almond Dar

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* 3. The Elf on the Shelf Bingo is back!
Participation requires the use of the "elf" and the willingness to place the elf in a unique location where kids can find it. When they find it, they will interact with your employee team to get a stamp on the card box that features your business name. Required to be open during the time of the event. If possible that each participating store will be asked to donate a "trinket" from your store for a series of "prize" baskets to completed bingo card winners. Participating location is responsible for purchasing their own elf to use during the event.

I would like to participate

I am interested in participating, please send me more information

I am not interested

Other (please specify)

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* 4. Hosting some promotion or sale type of event to encourage people to come downtown and enjoy is another way to participate. For restaurants it would be a discount or special menu item. We will print a flyer to promote the various promotions, menu item and/or activities. Each store is responsible to inform us of the item to include. Promotion of participation would be a listing of stores or restaurants that are offering a promotional program.

I would like to participate but do not know what yet at this time- follow up closer to the event

No; I am not participating

Yes! I would like to participate-
Here is our promotion copy

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* 5. Hosting interactive business tents on the Kalamazoo Mall is back for 2024. In order to participate, businesses need to have their own 10 by 10 tent ( and Tent weights), and tables. Businesses hosting the tents will be advertised on the promotional event map and need to have some type of interactive activity (selling merchandise, hosting an activity, doing a demonstration, sampling food). Every effort will be made to place the tent close to your business for a branding experience.

Yes, I would like to host a tent. If you know what you are planning, please complete the question below for further clarification.

No, I am not planning on this activity

I am considering this as a possibility, please include me in future correspondence for consideration.

If you are considering this, what are some of your preliminary plans?

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* 6. In other events planned for after the parade, we are having an entertainment stage again this year, but are having two DJs performing. Additionally, Santa and Mrs. Claus will follow the same schedule as last year; starting at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, and then being outside on the Mall. As well, we are introducing an Emergency response vehicle expo on the mall, where we are bringing in Fire trucks, ambulances, and Police cars for families to engage with. Please let us know if you have any comments or suggestions about these activities. More information to follow.

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* 7. Every business that participates in the after parade day activities is asked to promote the events in their social media feeds. If you are not participating in the events, but were provided with a social media kit to help promote the Maple Hill Holiday Parade and After Parade Activities, would you use it and promote it?

Yes

Maybe

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* 8. If you are a restaurant or food location, we need to know if you are able to be open. Offering food options after the parade is really important and will be promoted. Please use the questions below to help identify how your business can support our hungry attendees.

Yes, we will be open, please see my hours listed below

Yes, we will consider creating a menu item for kids

We are not able to be open on Parade Day

Please list your hours of operation on Parade Day (November 23)

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* 9. After all of these great event offerings, it is important to note that how all businesses participate is important. And, being open is supportive. Please use the questions below to help identify how your business can be involved.

Yes, we will be open, please see my hours listed below

Yes, we will consider creating a menu item for kids

We are not able to be open on Parade Day

Please list your hours of operation on Parade Day (November 23)

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* 10. Address

Name *

Company *

Address *

Address 2

Email Address *

Phone Number *