2009 Musical Strollathon Walk Frequently Asked Questions


What is ARTigras? ARTigras is a daylong celebration of the arts to be held the fourth Saturday in August 2009. Activities offered free of charge in this 12 PM to 7 PM event include an ARTiStage, ARTiKids activities and an ARTists Village. Refreshments will be available to purchase from 12 PM to 7 PM in Mayo Park (behind Mayo Civic Center). A Blues and Barbecue Festival will be held in the Peace Plaza from 4:00 PM to 10:30 PM. The $25 tickets for the Blues & Barbecue Festival will be pre-sold and are available through the Rochester Convention & Visitors Bureau. In addition, several downtown Rochester restaurants and businesses will offer ARTigras specials throughout the day.

What is the Musical Strollathon Walk? The Musical Strollathon Walk is one of several ARTigras events planned by the Rochester Arts Council ARTigras Committee for the purpose of raising awareness and funds for all Rochester arts and cultural organizations who apply by the June 30 deadline.

When and where will the Musical Strollathon Walk be held? The Musical Strollathon Walk will be held on Saturday, August 22 from 10 AM to 1 PM. Check in, registration and the starting line will be at Soldier’s Field. The finish line and program will be at Government Center. The one-mile route will run along the Zumbro River (See map).

What is the deadline for arts and cultural organizations to apply to participate in the Musical Strollathon Walk? June 30, 2009

What is the deadline for walkers to register for the Musical Strollathon Walk? On August 20 registrations can be turned into the Rochester Arts Council office by 5 PM or completed online by 11:59 PM. On August 22 registrations will be taken until 12 PM.

Who are the Musical Strollathon Walk sponsors? Major sponsors are the Rochester Arts Council, the City of Rochester, Rochester Downtown Alliance, Rochester Convention & Visitors Bureau, RNeighbors and Yaggy Colby Architects.  Additional sponsors will be listed as they are secured.

Who will benefit from the Musical Strollathon Walk? Eighty percent of the proceeds will go to the Rochester arts and cultural organizations who register on the Rochester Arts Council website (www.RochesterMNArts.com) by July 1. Twenty percent of the proceeds will go to the Rochester Arts Council to cover organizing expenses.  

How do arts and cultural organizations register for the Musical Strollathon Walk? Arts organizations can download a registration form on line at www.RochesterMNArts.com or return the application that each organization will receive by mail or email. Call 507-358-0400 or 507-424-0811 if you do not receive an application form.

How do walkers register for the Musical Strollathon Walk?

Walkers may register by:

  • Completing the Walker Registration Form available at the Rochester Arts Council Office (2nd floor of the Mayo Civic Center in the Rochester Convention & Visitors Bureau Office)
  • Stopping by their favorite arts organization and asking for a Walker Registration Form.


How does a walker know which arts and cultural organizations are participating?  Go to the Rochester Arts Council website and click on Upcoming Events, then Musical Strollathon, then Participating Arts and Cultural Organizations. Organizations will be listed once their applications have been received and approved. The deadline for applications is June 30.

When will a full list of participating arts and cultural organizations be available? Check our website the first week of July to see a complete list of participating organizations. 

How much is the registration fee for walkers? The registration fee is $20 through August 20 and $25 on August 22.

How do I pay the registration fee?

If you pay by check, send the Walker Registration Form and Registration Fee to Rochester Arts Council, 30 Civic Center Drive SE Suite 200, Rochester, MN 55904. Checks are payable RAC Musical Strollathon.

If you pay by cash, bring the Registration Form and cash in person to the Rochester Arts Council (2nd floor of the Mayo Civic Center in the Rochester Convention & Visitors Bureau Office).

Late Registrations will be accepted at Soldiers Field between 10 AM and 12 PM on August 22. Credit card  payments cannot be accepted.

Children 12 and under or people in wheelchairs may participate at no charge.    

Is there an official Musical Strollathon Walk Pledge Sheet? Yes. It is available along with the Walker Registration Form at the Rochester Arts Council Office, participating arts organizations and on line at www.RochesterMNArts.com. The Pledge Sheet may be duplicated.

Is there an official Musical Strollathon Walk Contribution Envelope? No, we suggest you keep your cash and checks in a manila envelope marked “Musical Strollathon Walk.”

If I walk in the Musical Strollathon Walk, do I need to collect pledges? No. You may just pay the $20 registration fee and not collect pledges. Some people will want to collect pledges to maximize the revenue generated and others will only want to walk on August 22.

How should pledge contributions be paid and turned in?

The deadline for turning your pledge contributions into the Rochester Arts Council Office is August 20 at 5 PM.

We cannot accept credit card payments for pledges.

Send your Pledge Sheets and checks (no cash) to:

Rochester Arts Council
30 Civic Center Drive SE Suite 200
Rochester, MN 55904.

Bring cash and/or checks to the Rochester Arts Council Office (2nd floor of the Mayo Civic Center).

August 22 - We prefer to receive all pledges by August 20. However, we will have a table set up at Soldiers Field to take late registrations and pledge donations on August 22.  We can accept cash or checks, but cannot accept credit cards.

To whom should checks be made payable? Make checks payable to RAC Musical Strollathon Walk.

Is it possible to make a credit card donation in support of a specific walker online? No.

Is my donation tax deductible? Yes, all participating organizations have 501 (c) (3) status.

Will I receive a receipt?  The Rochester Arts Council will send a formal receipt for donations $250 and over. For all donations under $250, use your personal check for your records.

When should I begin collecting pledges?  As soon you register, you may begin recruiting people, organizations or businesses to sponsor your walk.

What amount should I ask for? Your sponsors may give any amount they like, but a suggested minimum pledge is $10. Some people will donate $50, $100 or more.

What methods have been most successful for gathering pledges and recruiting sponsors?

Make an envelope to use when you gather pledges and sponsorships. Keep your Musical Strollathon Walk Pledge Sheet and envelope handy.

As you see friends, neighbors, work colleagues or family members, ask if they would like to write a check or give you cash for your participation in the Musical Strollathon Walk. Let them know which organization you are walking for. If they prefer to support a different arts or cultural organization, encourage them to register and walk for that organization.

If you belong to a group, ask if they would like to make a group contribution to your walk.

Send an email blast to your friends explaining why you are committed to the arts or cultural organization for which you are walking. Encourage your email contacts to write a check to contribute to your walk.

Write about the Musical Strollathon Walk on your Face Book Page. Encourage your Face Book friends to sponsor your walk, take part in the Strollathon or attend other ARTigras activities.

Ask your employer for a match to the money you raise.

Should I collect the money as soon as someone agrees to sponsor my walk? You can collect the pledge at the time of commitment or later, but it will be more efficient if you collect the money immediately. We encourage you to send or bring your pledges to the Rochester Arts Council office by August 20.

Do I need to check in at Soldiers Field the day of the walk (August 22)? Yes. All walkers should check in to receive their wrist band, walking route map and performance schedule. Once you check in, you may begin your walk.  

Is it OK to walk in groups? It is always fun to walk in groups, but we will not be collecting group or team pledges. It is not necessary to walk with others from the organization you are supporting, but you may informally organize a walking group, if you wish.

Is it OK to walk for more than one organization? You may raise funds and walk for more than one organization. A separate Walker Registration Form and Pledge Sheet must be kept for each organization.

Are pets, skateboards, bikes or scooters allowed? No

Is it necessary to walk the entire route? No. You may complete all or any part of the route. There will be musical performances to enjoy at the beginning, end and three places in the middle of the river trail.

What groups will be performing along the river walk path? The musical performance groups and times will be listed on our website once they are finalized. Log onto www.RochesterMNArts.com, click on Upcoming Events, then Musical Strollathon Walk, then Performance Schedule.

Will there be seating available if I want to sit down to enjoy a performance? Limited bench seating will be available at performance sites.

Will there be toilet facilities along the path?  There will be toilets at Soldiers Field and in the Mayo Park area. See map.

Will a map be provided? Yes. When it is finalized, a map will be posted on our website for you to download. Maps will also be available at the Soldiers Field check-in and registration tables. Maps will indicate where you can find parking, check-in, late registration, starting line, Musical Strollathon Walk route, performance sites, toilets, finish line activities and refreshments.

What should walkers bring? Bring a bottle of water, sunscreen and a cap or hat for your head. 

Will there be water stops along the path? Water will be available at no charge to walkers at the finish line. Children and people in wheelchairs will also receive water.

Will refreshments be available? Free refreshments will be provided at the Government Center finish line for anyone who completed the walk and can show an ARTigras wrist band. Children and people in wheelchairs will also receive refreshments. Others may purchase refreshments at the ARTigras Festival also taking place in Mayo Park.

What will happen at the finish line?  A musical performance, short program and prize drawing will take place at the end of the route at the Government Center. Free refreshments will be provided for Musical Strollathon Walk participants. A schedule of ARTigras activities will be distributed. Children and people in wheelchairs will receive ARTigras beads (while supplies last).

How do I volunteer to help with the Musical Strollathon Walk or ARTigras? See the ARTigras Volunteer Needs memo on the website. Click on Upcoming Events, then ARTigras, then Volunteer Needs. Choose the activity for which you would like to volunteer. Call to determine if the volunteer task is still open. For Musical Strollathon Walk volunteer opportunities, call 507-358-0400. For all other ARTigras volunteer opportunities, call 507-424-0811.

Will the Musical Strollathon Walk be rescheduled in case of inclement weather? In case of inclement weather, the event will not be rescheduled. Bring/send your cash and checks to the Rochester Arts Council office. Please know that your contribution to the Rochester arts community is sincerely appreciated.