Event Sponsorships
There’s a lot to love in Occoquan!
Occoquan, Virginia is a small yet vibrant riverfront town, located 20 miles south of Washington, D.C. Home to just over 1,000 residents, we have 100+ small and family-owned businesses including award-winning restaurants, art galleries, hair & spa services, plus dozens of unique shops and boutiques. Whether you visit for the charming shops and restaurants, walking along the river boardwalk, or relaxing in one of the town’s waterfront parks, you will love Occoquan and our small-town quality of life!
Originally an 18th-century mill town nestled on the banks of the Occoquan River, the town was made a Virginia historic landmark in 1983. Occoquan today has successfully combined nearly 300 years of history with modern attractions and events. Our twice-annual, two-day festivals (RiverFest & Craft Show in June and the Fall Arts & Crafts Show in September) attract tens of thousands of visitors from the Washington D.C. region and beyond. Occoquan also hosts seasonally themed town-wide events during Easter, Halloween, and the winter holidays, as well as a summer concert and a trivia night series in River Mill Park, all of which generate excitement and bring visitors to town.
Together with the Workhouse Arts Center and the Occoquan Regional Park, the Town of Occoquan creates Virginia’s first inter-jurisdictional arts and cultural district. This new district’s aim is to expand arts and cultural opportunities available to visitors in Prince William and Fairfax counties. The establishment of this district allows the town to work with other jurisdictions to brand the region as a destination for tourism, commerce, and cultural leisure activities.
Our Area
Located 20 miles south of Washington, D.C. in Prince William County, Occoquan is part of the National Capital Region, home to over 6 million highly educated and affluent people.
Audience Insights
A correlation of data from behavioral audiences for “arts and crafts festival”, “summer outdoor concert series” and “Washington D.C. Metro area residents” closely defines audiences at our events. Our study yielded the following insights:
Festival Opportunities
These events are Occoquan’s predominant events, with over 10,000 attendees each weekend. Our festivals offer customizable ways for your organization to engage with a profitable audience through sponsorships. You can choose assets/activations from the list below, or design your own!
RiverFest & Craft Show (June 3-4, 2023)
Fall Arts & Crafts Show (Sept. 23-24, 2023)
Core Sponsorships
Reservoir Sponsor ($10,000)
All benefits listed below, plus;
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Upgrade to back cover ad in the RiverFest Visitor’s Guide*
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Upgrade to large logo on volunteer t-shirts*
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Four (4) VIP Packages
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One (1) opportunity available
Tributary Sponsor ($5,000)
All benefits listed below, plus;
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Upgrade to 10’ x 20’ premium booth space
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Upgrade to 1/4 page ad in the RiverFest Visitor’s Guide*
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Upgrade to medium logo on volunteer t-shirts*
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Limited opportunities available
Basin Sponsor ($2,500)
All benefits listed below, plus;
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Upgrade to small logo on volunteer t-shirts*
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Two (2) mentions on social media (Facebook & Instagram)
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Limited opportunities available
Watershed Sponsor ($1,500)
All benefits listed below, plus;
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Logo on sponsorship banner at entrances to event*
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One (1) mention on social media (Facebook & Instagram)
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Limited opportunities available
Vendor Sponsor ($1,000)
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10’ x 10’ premium booth space
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1/8 page ad in the RiverFest Visitor’s Guide*
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One (1) free parking spot in town during the event
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Business name on volunteer t-shirts*
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Business name on sponsorship banner at entrances to event
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Inclusion on the sponsor page in the RiverFest Visitor’s Guide*
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Inclusion in the sponsor section on the official RiverFest webpage
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Opportunity to provide inserts for VIP bags
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Limited opportunities available
*Contact us for deadline information for all printed pieces.
Contact Julie Little, Director of Events at jlittle@occoquanva.gov or 703-491-1918 for additional information or to become a sponsor.
Spotlight Sponsorships
Cornerstone Sponsorship ($5,000)
Sponsor one of the cornerstone areas of the weekend: Conservation Alley (sustainable ideas, wildlife education, and family activities in the center of town), Whatever Floats Your Boat Parade (community river activity), Food Garden & Concerts (beer, wine garden, plus live music in River Mill Park).
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Listed as Presenting Sponsor for that area
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Logo included on banner/signage for the event area
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1/4 page ad in the RiverFest Visitor’s Guide*
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Medium logo on volunteer t-shirts*
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Inclusion on the sponsor page in the RiverFest Visitor’s Guide*
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One (1) free parking spot in town during the event
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Two (2) mentions on social media (Facebook & Instagram), including graphic with logo
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Opportunity to provide inserts for VIP bags
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Logo on sponsorship banner at entrances to event*
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Two (2) opportunities available
Shuttle Sponsorships ($5,000)
Roughly 5,000 patrons take shuttles into town during RiverFest. By sponsoring one of the three shuttle routes, your company logo will be up front and personal with visitors throughout the weekend.
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Listed as Presenting Sponsor for one (1) shuttle route
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Logo included on the side of the shuttle buses on your route
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Logo on all transportation signage for that route
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1/4 page ad in the RiverFest Visitor’s Guide*
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Medium logo on volunteer t-shirts*
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Inclusion on the sponsor page in the RiverFest Visitor’s Guide*
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One (1) free parking spot in town during the event
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Two (2) mentions on social media (Facebook & Instagram), including graphic with logo
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Opportunity to provide inserts for VIP bags
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Logo on sponsorship banner at entrances to event*
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Three (3) opportunities available
Create Your Own Sponsorships
Own a rock climbing wall, kayak supply, or other type of business in the entertainment, transportation, printing world? We would love to create a special in-kind sponsorship just for you! We are always looking to enhance RiverFest with new activities for families and adults.
Town Event Opportunities
Annual town events draw thousands of visitors to the historic district.
Peep Week
April 4 -8 , 2023
A unique event in historic Occoquan wherein visitors vote for their favorite PEEPS® dioramas in two fun ways! First, visitors can vote on dioramas created by town businesses. Then they can head to Town Hall to check out the Occoquan Community Peep Contest and vote on those entries from the community.
Discover Occoquan
August 19 - 20, 2023
This fun August event celebrates the town businesses plus highlights the heritage of our historic town to visitors. It features the famous Occoquan Duck Splash, where 1000+ rubber ducks race down the river to raise money for a local nonprofit. The event also hosts business demonstrations, a concert in River Mill Park, and Sip & Stroll. Visitors are invited to browse the town’s unique shops, boutiques, galleries, restaurants, and cafes to experience all that Occoquan has to offer.
Spirits & Spirits
October 27 - 28, 2023
Get ready for a spooky, scary good time during Occoquan’s Spirits & Spirits! The weekend event is anchored by the crowd-favorite Haunted Maze & Spirits Garden. If you prefer your All Hallows’ Eve to be on the tamer side, enjoy our family-friendly costume parade and contest, plus movie night in the park.
HolidayFest
November 18 - December 3, 2023
HolidayFest brings two weeks of holiday activities, entertainment, and shopping, beginning with the annual Tree Lighting and Shop Late night on Saturday, November 18, 2023. #ShopSmall weekend is promoted over Thanksgiving weekend, then the event ends with the popular Holiday Artisan Market held in River Mill Park. A number of other holiday festivities, such as visits with Santa, a community gingerbread making contest, s’mores & fire pits, afternoon concerts, and more are scheduled during the festival.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Event Sponsorship (4 available) - $5,000
Presenting sponsor for one of the four Town Events
Spotlight Sponsorships (6 available)
Spotlight sponsorships are a unique way for businesses to host a specific part of either festival. Specific assets depend on level.
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Artisan Market Sponsor (HolidayFest) - $2,500
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Costume Parade & Contest Sponsor (Spirits & Spirits) - $2,500
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Halloween Movie in the Park Sponsor (Spirits & Spirits) - $2,500
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Tree Light Sponsor (HolidayFest) - $1,500
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Santa Arrives by Boat (HolidayFest) - $1,500
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Shuttle Sponsor (available for each event) - $500
Contact Julie Little, Director of Events at jlittle@occoquanva.gov or 703-491-1918 for additional information or to become a sponsor.
Community Series Events Opportunities
Community events bring locals into town on a monthly basis during the warmer months.
Music on Mill
Saturdays, May - August
May through August the Town hosts an outdoor concert series in River Mill Park, featuring local bands and a varied genre. Concerts are free to the public.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Series Sponsorship $5,000
(2 available)
Sponsor the full season of Trivia Night or Music on Mill
Trivia Nights in River Mill Park
Fridays, May - October
The Town hosts Trivia Night in River Mill Park. Held on one Friday per month, May through October, in River Mill Park. Teams of contestants share their knowledge about a variety of topics in a fun competition.
Contact Julie Little, Director of Events at jlittle@occoquanva.gov or 703-491-1918 for additional information or to become a sponsor.