Major support
- Elite Sponsor: $5,000+
- Platinum Plus: $2,000+
- Platinum: $1,000+
- Optional 5K Presenting Sponsor: $2,000+
Sponsors
Support the mission and be seen by the community.
Sponsorship is one of the clearest ways to support St. Mary’s parish, school, Catholic education, and the community event that brings everyone together.
2026 sponsorship
Deadline: Friday, August 28, 2026.
The sponsorship packet is now embedded below so sponsors can review the official invitation, levels, benefits, deadlines, and form without using a Google Drive link.
Community support
- Gold: $500+
- Silver: $250+
- Bronze: $100+
- Friends of St. Mary’s: up to $99
Other ways to help
- In Memory / In Honor banner: $150
- In-kind donations
- Auction and basket raffle support
- Race sponsorship
Official packet
Sponsorship letter and packet.
The official sponsorship invitation is included below as page content for easy reading. The full PDF packet is also embedded for viewing, printing, and downloading.
Dear Friend and Potential Sponsor,
On behalf of St. Mary’s Parish, we are pleased to invite your organization to be part of St. Mary’s Oktoberfest 2026. Now celebrating its 18th year, Oktoberfest has grown into one of the region’s most beloved autumn traditions, drawing thousands of guests to our Alton campus for three days of live German music, authentic food and drink, craft and non-alcoholic beers, a full-service espresso bar, and activities for all ages.
At its heart, Oktoberfest exists to support the students and families of St. Mary’s Catholic School in Alton, Illinois. Every dollar raised helps us maintain our 150-year-old church building, fund daily operations at the school, keep tuition affordable, and provide financial assistance to families who need it. A sponsorship of St. Mary’s Oktoberfest is a direct investment in Catholic education and in the children of our community.
Last year’s event generated $138,000 in total revenue, including close to $40,000 in sponsorships thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, and we are proud to say that this momentum continues to grow each year.
Your sponsorship directly supports:
- St. Mary’s Catholic School - teacher salaries, staff, and daily operations
- Tuition assistance for families in need, ensuring every K-8 student can attend
- Roof repairs, HVAC maintenance, and stained-glass preservation for our historic church
- Parish outreach programs serving the greater Alton community
Also featuring: The St. Mary’s 5K Timed Race
Oktoberfest weekend also includes the St. Mary’s 5K, a competitive timed race that has grown well beyond the St. Louis metro region, drawing runners from across the Midwest. Sponsor branding reaches not only festival attendees but a dedicated running community through race-day signage, official event t-shirts, and the race website.
Ten sponsor yard signs are placed along the course on race morning and then relocated to the festival grounds for the remainder of the weekend, giving top sponsors continuous visibility across all three days. For sponsors seeking the most prominent race recognition, a sole-title Presenting Sponsor opportunity is available in the sponsorship form.
Response deadline: Friday, August 28, 2026
Please return your completed Quick Response Form by August 28, 2026 to guarantee inclusion on all printed materials and banners. In most cases, your name will be typeset exactly as submitted - no logo file is needed. If your organization would like to submit a logo for placement, please send an EPS, high-resolution PNG, or PDF file to Email sponsor chair by the same date.
We are deeply grateful for your generosity and your commitment to the children and families of our parish. We look forward to welcoming you as a partner in St. Mary’s Oktoberfest 2026.
Melodee Hughes - Sponsorship Chair
Ryan Downey - Event Chair
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Alton, IL
Choose a path
Not every sponsor needs the same thing.
Start with the kind of support you want to give, then use the packet for the official level, benefits, and logo details.
Want visibility?
Start with Gold, Platinum, Platinum Plus, or Elite. These levels are better fits when public recognition and logo placement matter.
Want simple support?
Bronze, Silver, or Friends of St. Mary’s are good paths for families, parish friends, and small businesses that want to help.
Want to support the race?
Use the 5K sponsor option when your support is specifically tied to the Friday night run and regional race audience.
Want to donate goods?
Use the in-kind, auction, or basket raffle path for items, gift cards, services, and creative packages.
What sponsorship makes possible
Support the work behind the weekend.
Oktoberfest works because people step in early and help carry the parts guests may never notice: setup, cleanup, hospitality, food and beverage service, kids areas, race logistics, entertainment spaces, raffle support, and the many small needs that keep the weekend welcoming.
Sponsor support helps St. Mary’s keep the event strong for parish families, school families, alumni, neighbors, runners, and guests who come back because the weekend feels like community, not just another event on the calendar.
- Support Catholic faith and education
- Keep family-friendly activities accessible
- Strengthen the 5K, food, games, and entertainment areas
- Help volunteers serve the broader community well
Logo guidance
Logo details can be handled after sponsorship is selected. The sponsorship packet explains which levels include logo placement and what is needed. Sponsors do not need to solve the artwork details before starting the sponsorship conversation.
When a logo is needed, send a clean EPS, high-resolution PNG, or PDF to Email sponsor chair by August 28.
Official sponsorship links
Ready to support St. Mary’s Oktoberfest?
Use RunSignUp for sponsorship and donations. Use the packet for official levels and benefits. Questions can go to the sponsorship chair, and logo files can follow after sponsorship is selected.