At its peak the Battle attracted crowds of up to 60,000, but with the decline of the tourism industry numbers have fallen dramatically in the last 20 years.
Mr Farley says that the Island needs look no further than the seaside festival which drew 10,000 to Havre des Pas last Sunday to see how a free event can bring back the crowds.
But the association are £200,000 short of achieving his dream.
A free parade would save £25,000, as there would be no need to print or distribute tickets or put up fencing, arches and stands – but the association would lose £100,000 from ticket sales.
