They are people like YOU who want to be part of a unique project that supports our community, local artists, and WIU students in an exciting and unforgettable way! Being a Rocky on Parade sponsor can make your business or organization more visible while letting others know that you care about your community. For a sponsorship of $2,200 or $4,000, you fund costs associated with creating the bulldogs and the remainder of the sponsorship goes directly to scholarships for WIU Art students. Rocky on Parade is also offering a payment plan for those who would like to sponsor a bulldog, but would prefer to spread the cost over a longer period.

The Rocky on Parade committee will review all artist applications and then select the designs best suited for the program. Once the artists have been selected by the committee, the sponsors “draft” their artists during the ROP Draft Day Selection event. Each sponsor will receive a number and at the artist draft, the sponsors will be put into a lottery. Sponsors will have the ability to purchase multiple submissions to increase their chances of being called to select their Rocky design at the draft. So, the sooner your number is called, the more designs from which you will have to choose. Sponsors will select their artist on Draft Day, scheduled for April 23, 2024 at the Macomb County Club.

Sponsors have the option of being a part of the artistic process from start to finish. Once each sculpture is completed, it will be installed at the sponsor’s location of choice. Imagine having a bulldog that you helped bring to life proudly standing in front of your business or headquarters. And of course, if you desire your bulldog to find a home elsewhere, the commemorative plaque will let everyone know that you were a vital member of the Rocky on Parade team. Bulldogs are not allowed at personal residences.

Once delivered, the bulldogs become the responsibility of the sponsor.

Being a Sponsor has its Benefits!

The Rocky on Parade marketing and public relations campaign will get consumers on the streets participating in this public art project. Through newspapers, television, radio, e-marketing, tourism newsletters, direct mail, and more, sponsors will enjoy increased consumer awareness, traffic and revenues through this highly visible and memorable project.

Compare running a magazine or radio ad to the sponsorship investment in Rocky on Parade. Your business will benefit for years through your association with a positive community project. The local economy, hotels, restaurants and shops will also benefit from increased traffic when people visit Macomb to see these unique bulldogs on display.

Sponsors will receive:

• Extensive marketing
• Marketing rights to use Rocky on Parade and your bulldog in your own promotional efforts
• Rocky on Parade plaque commemorating you as the sponsor, your artist and the bulldog’s name, affixed to the bulldogs base
• Participation and recognition in WIU’s Homecoming parade

Scholarships

To ensure that we continue to bring the best students to Western Illinois University, all Rocky on Parade proceeds benefit student Art & Design scholarships. You can be a positive influence. Your sponsorship will encourage others to generously give their support, while strengthening local, regional, and state civic relations with WIU.

Important Dates

• February 5, 2024: Artist invitations released
• March 4, 2024: Open call for sponsors
• April 23, 2024: Artist draft
• October 3, 2024: All bulldogs will be unveiled at the Town and Gown celebration
• October 12, 2024: All bulldogs will be showcased in the WIU Homecoming Parade
• November 1-4, 2024: Bulldogs are delivered to their final locations