Thank you all for supporting and participating in the Parade and Rally event. Last year was the largest parade in Madison history and we are in line for a repeat performance. We are lining up lots of fun and entertainment for the rally, too. So help us spread the word. Watch our Facebook page for more information and other Pride related events happening all over the city: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wisconsin-Capitol-Pride/32988571777

Be sure and let us know if you are planning a pride event so we can put it on the website and help promote it for you. These forms can also be found on the website under the participate tab: http://wisconsincapitolpride.org/participate/:

• Marching in the Parade
• Becoming a Vendor
• Sponsoring the Pride Event

Tentative Parade & Rally Schedule:
8:00 AM Vendor Set Up
10:00 AM Pride event begins/Vendor booths open
10:30/11:00 AM Parade Staging begins on N. Hamilton
12:00 PM Parade begins and advances around the Square
1:00 PM Parade ends
1:00-5:00 Rally, Entertainment, Food, and Fun!

The Parade:
The parade will be staging on North Hamilton this year and proceeding around the square. It will exit onto Wisconsin Ave. Everyone can then gather at the rally site at the top of State Street on the corner of Mifflin and Carroll.

We may go around the square more than once it will depend on how big the parade is. We will send out separate information and final details to all parade participants the week of the parade.

Who ever you put down on your application as the contact person will get those emails. If you want more than one person to get the updates please list them on the parade application.

Vendors:
We have a lot of interested vendors this year food, retail, and informational. It will be a similar set up to last year at the top of State Stret. Please feel free to bring a canopy tent for shading especially on the Capitol sidewalk—it gets a lot of sun.

*Just a reminder you must supply your own tables and chairs for your booth this year. Please remember you MUST have a certificate of liability insurance from your insurance company adding Wisconsin Capitol Pride as an additional insured for the event. This must be submitted with your application or prior to the event. If you do not have your certificate you will not be able to set up your booth.

Please Note:
All vendors and information tables must be set up and open by10:00 AM. Vendor set up starts at 8:00 AM. The event runs 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM this year.

Prizes for the Pride Raffle Needed:
We are still looking for prizes for the pride raffle. This was a huge success last year and an easy way to promote your business. Please contact us if you are willing to donate and item or gift certificate. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to GSafe to help fund scholarships for LGBTQ Youth.

Sponsors:
Please consider sponsoring the parade. Wisconsin Capitol Pride is a nonprofit group and relies solely upon donations and fundraising from the community to produce pride related events. The cost for the police services and barricades this year exceed $3500+ and that doesn’t even include permits or insurance. We need your help to make this event happen, this year and every year.  You can still sponsor the parade and advertise your business or group. We are reserving space on our parade banner for your logo as well as, advertising on Facebook, Twitter, the website, flyers and posters.

Volunteers:
I cannot stress enough how important the need for volunteers is for this event. Not only the day of the event but planning and fundraising all year round. We have no paid officers, we rely strictly upon volunteers to plan and execute all fundraising and events for the organization. Please consider getting involved and/or sending one or two people from your group or organization.  Honestly, if we cannot get more help and support from the community, sadly there will not be any type of event or parade next year. Together we really can make a difference.