Parade Request

[Punky]

Okay, so my mom and I got a call from a woman a few towns over who saw us at an event last year and she wants us to walk in her town's 4th of July parade. Apparently she's on the board so it's legit, she just wants to know how much we'll charge. We've done parades with our local clown alley(ies) before but never on our own. All we'd be doing is riding our "Clown Bicycle Built for 2" (pics on my profile), which seems to be a real crowd pleaser. We also thought about tossing candy out to the kids along the route from the bike. The parade is about 1 1/2 - 2 miles long.

Any one got any ideas on what we should charge?
we're kinda in the dark here.

[Wacky the Clown]

I usually do parades for free because that is free advertising but if they are offering you money just charge them your hourly rate.

So in my case it would cost them $40 - $50

[Sir Toony Van Dukes]

Before you throw any candy, make sure it is OK. A lot of parades don't allow it because it causes the kids to run into the streets.

Our alley sometimes gets paid to be in a parade. You could always invite your alley to join you... Charge what you feel comfortable charging. Most parades want you to get there an hour early, so if you include getting into makeup, travel, waiting, and being in the parade, you can expect to spend 3 or 4 hours of your time. What is that worth to you?

[Nettie Belle]

Punky,

Start out high and then you can come down, and she will think she is getting a bargain. Since all budgets are different, find out what theirs is.

Be sure to find out if it's ok to throw candy ... and be sure to have your name and phone number visible someplace, either in the program or someplace on your bike or your body. Does that mean you won't be doing th LaPorte parade, or is that the one you're referring to??

[Punky]

Well, the one we, mom and I, have been asked to do is on the 3rd, in Walkerton. The sponsoring group wants to pay us and says candy throwing is just fine. We were thinking about $150 per clown per hour, since it is a longer drive than what we normally do, plus, loading and unloading the bike is a pain. Also, we'd have to drive the pick-up truck, which runs on deisel, which is expensive, because the bike won't fit in the mini-van. Plus, we'd have to find some way of covering the cost of the candy. It's higher than our normal rate, but we think it's fairly reasonable. What do u guys think?

P.S. Nettie, We will definately be in the LaPorte Parade on the 4th and the Michigan City Parade on the 5th(?).

[twinklestheclown]

Sounds like a good rate to me. but I agree don't throw candy. Have a great time and let everyone know how it went.

[Dusty B]

Candy + July heat = wrappers stuck to streets.

[pixcoco]

I would rather give a kid a smile or a laugh than candy.

[StuartPid]

Originally Posted by pixcoco

I would rather give a kid a smile or a laugh than candy.

Well then don't come to my parade... I want CANDY!!!

[Scooter!]

Originally Posted by StuartPid

Well then don't come to my parade... I want CANDY!!!

Stu, You are awesome.