SPONSORSHIP

The Parade Committee is seeking a few major sponsors to help guarantee another successful parade year.  Since the reorganization of the parade in 1956, it has grown into a first rate family event, drawing over 50,000 participants and spectators from not only across New England, but from other states and foreign countries as well. It is by far the largest Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Rhode Island and, in fact, is one of the biggest in New England, usually running two hours in length.

The Parade is the highlight event of a month long celebration marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring.  The local community looks forward to the parade with many local civic groups, schools, and businesses participating. Many newspapers and magazines print articles about the parade, including Yankee, Rhode Island Monthly, and Newport Life magazines along with the Providence Journal, Newport Daily News, and Newport This Week newspapers. The parade is broadcast over local radio and cable television.  It is one of the most requested rebroadcast programs on local access cable television. In addition to the huge draw the parade has, local hotels and restaurants consider it one of busiest days of the year.  

The cost of hosting a parade of this magnitude is over $47,000, as most of the participants are paid a fee. Local schools use their fees to defray the costs of fielding the activities. Other groups, such as the Shriners Clown Unit and Motor Corps, donate their fee to charities such as the Shriners Burn Centers.  Although the parade is very expensive to host, it is beneficial to the larger community in so many ways.

Sponsorship Levels

Gold Level Sponsorship

• Prominent mention of your organization on special posters advertising Parade (500+)
• Mention of your organizations sponsorship in all Official radio and media advertising
• Rights to enter an organizational float in the Parade
• Rights to hang organizational banner at the Official Reviewing Stand
• First Division of Parade named after your organization
• Rights to hang organizational banner at the Official Grand Marshal’s Roast
• Full page organizational advertisement in the Official Parade Commemorative Booklet
• Full page organizational advertisement in the Official Grand Marshal’s Roast Booklet
• Twenty tickets to the Official Grand Marshal’s Roast
• 500 Official Parade buttons

Silver Level Sponsorship

• Mention of organizational sponsorship in all Official radio and media advertising
• Rights to enter a organizational float in the Parade
• Rights to hang organizational banner at the Official Grand Marshal’s Roast
• Full page organizational advertisement in the Official Parade Commemorative Booklet
• Full page organizational advertisement in the Official Grand Marshal’s Roast Booklet
• Ten tickets to the Official Grand Marshal’s Roast

 Bronze Level Sponsorship

• Rights to enter a organizational float in the Parade
• Full page organizational advertisement in the Official Parade Commemorative Booklet
• Full page organizational advertisement in the Official Grand Marshal’s Roast Booklet

In addition to the above, every year the Parade Committee recognizes the business that is our largest financial supporter with an award (The Big Daddy Award). The award is a traveling plaque which is displayed for the year at the business that wins it. This award is presented at a small cocktail party thrown for the winner and guests.

If you would like to become a sponsor of the parade, please contact:

Dennis Sullivan at 401-846-5081

Sponsorship packages can also be catered to your needs.