Sponsorship Opportunities “Overview”
24th St. Charles Scarecrow Festival – Oct. 9-11, 2009
Promote your business to 60,000+ festival guests
- ALL Sponsors receive Scarecrow Fest Proud Sponsor Poster
- Thank You in Kane County Chronicle
Sponsor Level recognition:
$200 + Sponsor Name on Main Stage Banner & website with hyperlink to sponsor website
$500 + Sponsor Name in Festival Brochure, on Main Stage Banner & Logo on website w/ hyperlink
$2,200 + Sponsor Logo in Festival Brochure, on Main Stage Banner & Logo on website w/hyperlink
$3,000 + Sponsor Logo in Festival Brochure, on Main Stage Banner; & Logo on website w/hyperlink and sponsor nameon festival Main Street Banner (Sept.-Oct. 12).
NEW! Sponsorship ($2,200.+) will receive an opportunity to provide a coupon with special offer on the Scarecrow Website. The coupon format will be (approximate size 3”x 3”) and include your logo and “offering”. Suggested expiration date 12/31/09.
SPONSOR TENT ( includes 10’x10’ tent )
- Sponsor Tent / at scarecrow display in Lincoln Park $2,200.
- Sponsor Tent / at Commercial Row along “river walk” east bank of Fox River $1,500.
Sponsor an Event (includes sponsor tent or table at event location) / See description included in packet.
Scarecrow Events w/ sponsor name promoted in festival brochure, on website & on event banner.
- “Night Stars on Stage” table in Main Tent during Fri. event 4pm-9pm 2 sponsors $300.
- “Bright Stars on Stage” table in Main Tent during Friday’s event 9am-4pm / 4 sponsors $600.
- “Storytelling Tales” Sponsor tent at Storytelling location / 2 sponsors $1,500.
- Valley Model Railroad Show / Sponsor 10 x 10 tent in VFW Lot / 1 sponsor $1,500.
- Festival Coloring Tent / Sponsor will have two table & chairs in the 10 x 20 tent $1,500.
SERVICE SPONSOR ($500 direct donation to Scouts) 3 Sponsors / See description included in packet.
- Order of the Arrow Eagle Scout “Clean Up Crew $500.
Trolley Advertising (10am-5:30pm)
- Exclusive Sponsor of one trolley (Fri – Sun) 4 signs SOLD Compact Industries
- One sign for two days (Sat & Sun) (4 signs available) = $500.
- FREE Trolley runs throughout the downtown. (Signs provided, 21¾ high x 55wide)
“FUN STUFF” TO SPONSOR
- Scarecrow on Stilts w/ sponsor name (2 hrs Friday 4 hrs. Sat & Sun) $1,300.
- Caricature Artist w/ sponsor name (5 hrs. Sat - Sun) Main Tent $1,300.
- Scarecrow Character “face cut-out” 2 boards (4’x 8’) w/sponsor nam $300.
- “Scarecrow Partner” / a donation to the festival $200.
For more information on sponsorship opportunities contact Kathy Loubsky at the
St. Charles Visitors Bureau 630-377-6161
Sponsor a Festival Event !
St. Charles Scarecrow Festival Oct. 9-11, 2009
Event listed with sponsor name in 40,000
Scarecrow Brochures, website & signage at event.
“Bright Stars on Stage” / Main TentFriday 9am- 4pm (3 sponsors) $600.
Your sponsorship will showcase a dozen local talent performing arts organizations.
Local youth clubs, organizations & studios featuring dance, song, music, sports, theater & cheer spirit will perform on stage in the Main Tent. Each group performing will receive a certificate of participation including Sponsor name. A drawing will be held and two groups will be chosen to win $100.
“Night Stars on Stage” / Main Tent Friday 4pm-9pm (2 sponsors) $300.
Sponsor evening entertainment showcasing local teen musical talent in the Main Tent
Sponsorship includes:
- Bright Stars: 8’ table in Main Tent on Friday from 9am-4pm Night Stars: 8’ table Fri 4pm-9pm
- Pre-recorded announcements with sponsor recognition throughout the day / evening
- Bright Stars Program: All “acts” and times will be listed with Sponsorship recognition on the back cover. (1,500+ programs printed & distributed prior to and at the event).
“Storytelling Tales” Location: tba (lot west of river) (2 sponsors) $1,500
Young & Young at Heart will enjoy storytelling all weekend long . . . .
Fri. – Sun. 9am – 4pm
Storytelling will intrigue youngsters Fri-Sun at 10am, Noon, 2pm & 3pm. Between story hours children crafts will be available.
- Sponsor booth located next to the event w/ two tables & chairs.
- Storytelling Flyers at booth will include storytelling participants and sponsor recognition.
- Bookmarks for kids to color & take home, with Sponsor name/logo.
Valley Model Railroad Show VFW Hall (Fri-Sun 10-5) $1,500.
Model Railroad Enthusiast this is a perfect Sponsor venue for you & kids from 2 to 102!
Valley Model Railroad Club of South Elgin exhibits 20 trains in various displays at the VFW in the heart of the festival. Multi generational appeal. Toddlers & pre-school children receive a certificate when they learn how to make Thomas the Tank Engine run. Sponsorship includes a $500 donation to the Model Railroad Club. The event is free - donations are accepted.
Sponsorship includes: 10x10 tent in VFW lot, 1 table inside VFW for promotional material
Festival Coloring Tent Fri–Sat 9-5 Lot: west of river SOLD Costco $1,500.
NEW! A 10’ x 20’ tent with crayon coloring opportunities including a 4’ high cardboard house, castle and murals with pre-drawn figures perfect for young artists ages 2-12.
Sponsor will have two tables & chairs in the tent.
All the (above) Sponsorships also include:
- Event listed with sponsor name in the festival brochure
- Sponsor name on the banner at the event. (ie: Festival Coloring Tent sponsored by _______)
- Business name on website w/ hyperlink
- Business name listed on Main Tent Banner
- Scarecrow Festival “Proud Sponsor” Posters
- Thank You in the Kane County Chronicle after the event.
Special Sponsorship Opportunities . . .
Festival Services Sponsorship ($ 500. direct donation to Scouts ) (3 sponsors) $500.
A perfect opportunity to show your support of our local Boy Scouts . . . . .
For nearly ten years the festival has been fortunate to have an outstanding “Clean-up Crew.” The team of dedicated adult scouts are with the Order of the Arrow Eagle Scouts Three Fires Council. This environmental task force is charged with keeping the festival clean. They are not personally compensated for their hard work, the dollars earned are used to help facilitate the programs offered at Camp Freeland Leslie. Your sponsorship dollars will go directly to this organization.
Sponsorship includes: Signage at various festival locations recognizing sponsor support of scouts & on scout golf carts.
Scarecrow Partner $200.
A much appreciated contribution to the festival. Your donation helps to pay for the MANY
“behind the scenes” festival expenses. Festival poster(s) with Scarecrow Partner & Scarecrow Canvas Bag.
The (above) sponsorships also include:
- Sponsor name on the banner at the event. (ie: Festival Coloring Tent sponsored by _______)
- Business name on website w/ hyperlink
- Business listed on Main Tent Banner
- Scarecrow Festival “Proud Sponsor” Posters
- Thank You in the Kane County Chronicle after the event.
Thank You for Your Support of the
Award-Winning St. Charles Scarecrow Festival
For more information on sponsorship opportunities contact:
Kathy Loubsky at the St. Charles Visitors Bureau
630-377-6161 kathy@visitstcharles.com
To download the 2009 Scarcrow Fest Partner form click here...
St. Charles Scarecrow Festival
Marketing & Advertising
In October of 2008 Scarecrow Festival was listed on MSN (Travel website with a slide show) as one of the 19 Hot Spots for Autumn (in the country)!!!
** Scarecrow Festival estimated attendance: 65,000 in ’07 & 100,000 in ‘08
The St. Charles Scarecrow Festival is highlighted in the following
St. Charles Visitors Bureau marketing and promotions:
Scarecrow Festival promotions reach thousands of consumers throughout the year!
Scarecrow Festival Print Ads & press releases:
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- Chicago Tribune
- KC Chronicle
- Insider Magazine
- Going Places Family Time Magazine
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- West Suburban Living Magazine
- Chicago Parent Magazine & Going Places Family Time Magazine
- Travel Today / Sun Times
- Elite Magazine
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- Fox Valley Magazine
- Daily Herald
- Suburban Focus
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Event listed in dozens of publications & on area radio stations
** Comcast local access channels / Scarecrow Festival television interview
** www.scarecrowfest.com received 118,776 visitor sessions
from January – December 2008 **
St. Charles Visitors Bureau direct marketing including Scarecrow Fest:
Bureau Leisure marketing including Scarecrow Festival:
- Illinois Summer/Fall Travel Newspaper Insert & e-news / 1 million readership
- Triple AAA Living Magazine
- Listed on home page of www.visitstcharles.com
Group Tour (Motorcoach) marketing:
Leisure Group Travel Magazine
All Group Tour marketing materials
32 Buses visited in 2008 |
 
2007 & 2009 Scarecrow Festival awarded one of the top 100 events in North America by American Bus |
Association
Scarecrow Festival was the feature photo on the front cover of the
2008 at&t Real Yellow Pages Fox Valley – Geneva edition.
St. Charles Visitors Bureau 311 N. Second St. St. Charles, IL 60174 630-377-6161
What Is Scarecrow Festival All About?
The festival began as a small community event in October of 1985. Businesses and residents were asked to create a scarecrow to be displayed in Lincoln Park on west Main at Fourth Street in historic downtown
St. Charles, Illinois. The very first festival had just five scarecrows, several bales of hay and a few potted flowers as decoration.
The 24th Scarecrow festival held in October of 2008 greeted nearly 100,000 guests,
140 Scarecrow creations were on display for visitors to view & vote for their favorite entry in six categories, musical entertainment tent, lots of free kid activities, great food and the Autumn of the Fox Arts & Craft Show featured 160 vendors. All possible with support of our valued Sponsors and vendors.
It’s About Fun…
As happens with most great events, the Scarecrow Festival grew, and the Scarecrow Contest became the “heart” of the event. The contest is free to enter and open to everyone! Categories were set up to handle the incredible creativity of the community and beyond so that all could make a scarecrow limited only by their imaginations! Families join together to create a scarecrow as a fun project. Businesses encourage their staff to make a scarecrow. Schools gather their students and enter a creation as a class project.
The contest is all about FUN!
It’s About Family, Children, Singles and Seniors . . .
Early in “Scarecrow Festival History,” the St. Charles Convention & Visitors Bureau agreed to organize, coordinate and present the annual event. All festival revenue is used to underwrite the costs involved in presenting this quality, family focused event. The Scarecrow Festival is one of the few, non-alcohol events in the area. This is also one of the very few festivals where numerous, FREE children’s activities are offered, such as face painting, “Make Your Own Scarecrow,” children’s crafts, story-tellers, the “Road Rally,” entertainment acts, and more. ALL Free Parents, grandparents and singles will enjoy the “Prime-Time” Main Tent headliner entertainment, huge Arts and Craft show along with a model train, Harley & Car display. The “heart & soul” of the fest is the Scarecrow displays which are enjoyed by the young and young at heart! Whether you are 2 or 102 there are there are activities for all ages The Visitors Bureau is able to provide this wholesome and free entertainment thanks to our sponsors & vendors.
It’s About Giving Back to the Community…
Sponsorships help the Visitors Bureau to make donations to the Order of the Arrow Eagle Scouts, who for years have worked the festival keeping all locations clean. The Visitors Bureau also donates funds to local service groups, high school clubs and other non-profit organizations for their assistance in working at the event. Sponsorships also cover the costs of all the FREE entertainment, children’s events, “San Francisco” style trolleys that take fest-goers from the east side of the river near the Autumn on the Fox Art & Craft Show in Pottawatomie Park to the west of the river events such as the Scarecrow display in Lincoln Park and all sites in between.
It’s about getting involved . . .
We invite you to participate in the Scarecrow Festival where you have an opportunity to get involved in the community, promote your business, have fun and support our award-winning event . . . are you interested?
If so please review our sponsorship/vendor opportunities, and give the St. Charles Visitors Bureau a call with any questions you might have or to customize your participation in this exciting fall festival!
Proudly produced by the St. Charles Convention & Visitors Bureau
Kathy Loubsky Scarecrow Coordinator
311 N. Second Street St. Charles, IL 60174
630-377-6161 kathy@visitstcharles.com
To download the 2009 Scarcrow Fest Partner form click here...
