THE PARADE, PAGEANT, AND FESTIVAL

OVERVIEW

The event will center around a theme chosen through public meetings. The Project provides art workshops, conducted by visiting artists from In the Heart of the Beast, to train artists in the techniques required to make giant puppets, headdresses, masks, costumes, and sculpted floats. Elements will be constructed in June and July, and will culminate in a parade and pageant integrating a variety of large parade elements with dancers, entertainers, and musicians. The Project reaches across neighborhoods, cultures, ages and abilities, bringing the community together promoting creative expression and civic pride.

THE PROCESS

A series of Public Meetings - open to all - will begin in March to discuss those issues on the minds of participants. Ideas will be assembled into both a theme and storyboard format, after which parade elements will be designed. Artist-Training Workshops, for as many as 50 artists, to learn giant puppet construction techniques, will be conducted in May (free of charge) to kick off the construction phase. Additional gatherings will continue through June and July to finish parade elements. The event is scheduled for the beginning of August. (see details for locations dates and times)