WHAT IS BENCHES ON PARADE?

It’s a summer-long community arts project that showcases local creativity and civic pride while helping raise funds for local non-for-profits.

Great! Why benches?

Benches are functional, usable art! Benches on Parade is a community arts project featuring 200 benches decorated by area artists, which will raise money for local non-for-profits. Artists will get to show off their creativity, transforming the basic design into unique works of art. The benches will be displayed all across the Greater Rochester area, allowing everyone to sit back and enjoy the show!

How does this help non-for-profits?

At the end of the summer, the benches will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. A portion of the auction proceeds will benefit Nazareth College Arts Center, Rochester City Ballet, the New York Wine & Culinary Center and an additional 501(c)3 non-for-profit of the high-bidder’s choice.

So what is The Big Parade and what does it do?

Simply put, The Big Parade produces smiles! Lots of them! From the business owners who have a chance to do something special in their community, to the local artists who get to showcase their talents, to the local charities who benefit from the exciting live auction at the end of the summer. But by far the most smiles come from the thousands and thousands of people who feel a renewed sense of civic pride sparked by any of The Big Parade’s unique community art projects. That’s a lot of smiles!

Hey, you’re the ones who brought Horses on Parade to Rochester!

Right! Click here to learn more about The Big Parade and other community arts projects The Big Parade has produced.