Have I got it bad?

SpoiledRotten · 10-21-2009, 07:39 AM

I've got the bug really bad. I'm really getting excited about doing parades, as some of you have already read. Two days ago, I wrote to the local newspaper, asking for help in spreading the word for me. I am seeing counties all around me having seasonal parades in their area so I figure it's time to try to have some in our area. We live in a beautiful area on the Ross Barnett Reservoir. There are probably 30 subdivisions on the Rankin Co. side of the res. and I believe we have the perfect location for community parades, since it would, hopefully, create more interaction within the community in this day of high fences and Do Not Trespass signs. People need a good excuse to mingle now more than ever and since most everyone likes parades, they are that good excuse in my eyes.

Anyway, I wanted to share with you what has happened so far with the letter to the editor of the paper and his response. Anyone with some marketing ideas on getting the word out and getting the interest sparked, chime in. I figure I'll go ahead and decorate it for Halloween (even though it won't be in a parade) so if the paper wanted to take a pic of what one could look like with a little imagination, they would have something to use.

Hey, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade had to start somewhere!

Quote:

To: news@rankinrecord.com
CC: reservoircarts@bellsouth.net
Subject: Reservoir Golf Cart Parades
Date: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:04:59 -0500

Hello,

I'm Randy and reside in the Glen Cove Subdivision at the Ross Barnett. I'm interested in sparking enthusiasm in a parade for seasonal events involving the reservoir communities. I know there have to be many golf carts in the area and almost as many people that would be interested in participating in decorating their cart and a parade for the coming seasons. I've been researching other communities that participate in this type of activity and I believe that the Reservoir would be the ideal spot to host a parade from Bay Park Dr. to Waterwood Dr, to involve all of the subdivisions in between.

I feel that to get things organized, it's much too late for Halloween, but for our area to start an annual parade for Christmas, New Years, July 4th, Thanksgiving, and possibly others, would add a great deal to our area and would help in uniting our community with participation for young and old alike. I would also think that the events would also provide some good future articles for you paper to which I am a subscriber.

My first obstacle would be getting the word out to the cart owners in this area. With the help of the Rankin Record, the word could probably be spread much more efficient.

Would this be possible? Any help and cooperation would be greatly appreciated.

I have posted a link to a golf cart focused parade for your review, in hopes that we could have something equally as fun here.

If it would be possible to put a community service article in your paper so that we could get an idea of who might be interested in participating, parties could respond with interest by emailing me at:

reservoircarts@bellsouth.net

I'll be awaiting your response and I appreciate your attention to this request.

Sincerely,
Randy

His response:

Quote:

From: Tim Beexxxxx
To: xxxxxxx
Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 4:34 PM
Subject: RE: Reservoir Golf Cart Parades

I'll run this as a letter to the editor and have our reporter Courtney Lange contact you about a story.

Tim Beeland Editor and Publisher The Rankin Record/Flowood Life Magazine

spriddle · 10-21-2009, 08:02 AM

Cool Randy. Sounds like a good idea.

And, be sure to mention our forum every chance you get.

But seriously, feel free to start up a thread on the forum where you or anyone can post info and answer questions about your parades. If we can help, just let us know.

SpoiledRotten · 10-21-2009, 09:12 AM

Thanks, Spriddle. I was hoping for some helpful support from the family here. This forum is my base for knowledge.

I did want to try to find out about things I might not know or have thought of yet.
I've been working on rules and regulations about participating.
I want to create a committee of, probably 7 members (seven to prevent ties in decisions) for the coordinating and publicity and to judge the entries for eligibility.
I would have to work up a registration form and some type of liability waiver for participants to sign.
I have also thought about getting a different business to sponsor each event for the upcoming season, such as Belk's Thanksgiving Parade, Kroger Christmas Day Parade, etc.

I'm sure I'll need more input to get this thing rolling. Thanks, in advance.

Randy

SpoiledRotten · 10-21-2009, 09:56 AM

Just got a call from one of the reporters. They want to come by and take my pic with my cart this afternoon.

Too bad I don't have a "Buggies Gone Wild" window sticker for the pic.

scottyb · 10-21-2009, 10:04 AM

Must be a slow news day !!

:l hmo:

SpoiledRotten · 10-21-2009, 10:09 AM

You ole skunk monkey!

They better do some public service on this or I'll cancel my subscription.
But yeah, it must be a slow day.

spriddle · 10-21-2009, 10:15 AM

Grab a marker or cut something out!!!!! LOL!

scottyb · 10-21-2009, 11:37 AM

Write BGW Across your best shirt!

SpoiledRotten · 10-21-2009, 11:56 AM

Why didn't I think of that Scott? Good grief! See why I spend so much time here? You guys are just FULL OF IT! uhhhh.. information and helpful suggestions, that is.

DOOmsman · 10-21-2009, 05:11 PM

Rotten, work with the local police right from the start so they don't feel like an afterthought.
Maybe include them with a dare float, Mcruff or what ever that mutts name is, A raffel with proceeds to a vest program, you get the drift.

10-21-2009, 08:02 AM	#2
spriddle Admin Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: TN Posts: 101,873	Re: Have I got it bad? Cool Randy. Sounds like a good idea. And, be sure to mention our forum every chance you get. But seriously, feel free to start up a thread on the forum where you or anyone can post info and answer questions about your parades. If we can help, just let us know.

10-21-2009, 09:12 AM	#3
SpoiledRotten Conservatively Wild Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Below the Mason Dixon Posts: 3,610	Re: Have I got it bad? Thanks, Spriddle. I was hoping for some helpful support from the family here. This forum is my base for knowledge. I did want to try to find out about things I might not know or have thought of yet. I've been working on rules and regulations about participating. I want to create a committee of, probably 7 members (seven to prevent ties in decisions) for the coordinating and publicity and to judge the entries for eligibility. I would have to work up a registration form and some type of liability waiver for participants to sign. I have also thought about getting a different business to sponsor each event for the upcoming season, such as Belk's Thanksgiving Parade, Kroger Christmas Day Parade, etc. I'm sure I'll need more input to get this thing rolling. Thanks, in advance. Randy

10-21-2009, 09:56 AM	#4
SpoiledRotten Conservatively Wild Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Below the Mason Dixon Posts: 3,610	Re: Have I got it bad? Just got a call from one of the reporters. They want to come by and take my pic with my cart this afternoon. Too bad I don't have a "Buggies Gone Wild" window sticker for the pic.

10-21-2009, 10:04 AM	#5
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,419	Re: Have I got it bad? Must be a slow news day !! :l hmo:

10-21-2009, 10:09 AM	#6
SpoiledRotten Conservatively Wild Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Below the Mason Dixon Posts: 3,610	Re: Have I got it bad? You ole skunk monkey! They better do some public service on this or I'll cancel my subscription. But yeah, it must be a slow day.

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10-21-2009, 10:15 AM	#7
spriddle Admin Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: TN Posts: 101,873	Re: Have I got it bad? Grab a marker or cut something out!!!!! LOL!

10-21-2009, 11:37 AM	#8
scottyb Happy Carting Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 73,419	Re: Have I got it bad? Write BGW Across your best shirt!

10-21-2009, 11:56 AM	#9
SpoiledRotten Conservatively Wild Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Below the Mason Dixon Posts: 3,610	Re: Have I got it bad? Why didn't I think of that Scott? Good grief! See why I spend so much time here? You guys are just FULL OF IT! uhhhh.. information and helpful suggestions, that is.

10-21-2009, 05:11 PM	#10
DOOmsman Gone Wild Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Reddick IL Posts: 11,220	Re: Have I got it bad? Rotten, work with the local police right from the start so they don't feel like an afterthought. Maybe include them with a dare float, Mcruff or what ever that mutts name is, A raffel with proceeds to a vest program, you get the drift.