Building a Presence

Why Participate?

Encouragement from the City of Aberdeen's new revitalization consultant

I believe community  events that are held every year in a City are part of the culture and history of that city.  What would New York be without the Macy’s Day Parade, or Bremerton without the Armed Forces Day Parade, or Port Townsend without the Wooden Boat Festival, or Seattle without Seafair?These events tend to bring the community together to have fun and celebrate, to remind us of our history , and to motivate us to move forward and to make things even better for our children and those that will follow us. Be a good citizen and a good neighbor and get involved in a community activity, its good for ones soul."

Cary Bozeman

The Bozeman Group

"Creating Economically Viable Downtown Neighborhoods"

It Builds your Team!

A parade project is a powerful exercise in team, or family building. The brainstorming, problem solving, efforts of your group will create memories rivaled only by tent camping in a snowstorm.  There is nothing like late nights in the garage trying to make a Bobcat out of a Golf Cart, to bond people together. Make sure to take plenty of pictures.. and share them. We'd love to post your progress on Facebook and this blog.

Honestly, most elderly people (30-90yr old range) have memories of building things. It's a great way to do something different, learn skills that you can use to create a yard project, fix a home, raise self esteem--all worthy bonuses of building a presence. Maybe it's time to rethink the organized activity mania, that has become such a staple in modern society. Instead, take some time to enjoy each other while tapping each others strengths to build something that will be part of your groups collective history. Maybe you have the beginnings of a group tradition. 

And when it's all over you can be sure your group will know more about each other.. What strengths to call on, likes--dislikes, and there will always be that shared recollection safely deposited in your memory banks ready for withdrawl when smiles, or happy memories are sorely needed.
 " Hey, how 'bout the time we remade Granny's new car into THINK OF ME HILL!"  OK, Maybe not that wonderful memory..

It's Effective Marketing

Consider this.. there are many parades in Grays Harbor County and other nearby areas, build one entry and you should be able to easily sign up and enter most of them. Every parade will have a different audience watching the procession of folks marching with their banners held proud, or floats decorated all achieving the result--  telling the stories of service groups, fraternal groups, or commercial business. 
Promote- Promote-Promote!! your business or group! Get some t-shirts, have your friends wear them..voilà you've just created walking billboards. Don't forget to make sure your logo and message are prominently displayed, and never forget to ask for new members / customers. Being in a parade can accomplish what any good marketing campaign can do--with a bonus of having some fun and getting some exercise in the process.