Procession of the species is a community arts-based Earth Day celebration where people flood the street to flaunt their favourite species or natural element whether it is flora, fauna or fungi, the sky is just the beginning! 

Procession is not just about the parade it is about bringing the community together  the weeks before hand with FREE workshops to help prepare us as well as educate us.
You do not have to attend the workshops to be in the Parade, you can just show up. 

We request that you register before hand to help with numbers for research as well as parade placement.  Registration forms can be found under Participant Info on the side bar.

More About Procession of the Species

Originating in Olympia, Washington, the celebration now occurs in communities throughout the world.  The Procession of the Species has become a well recognized model for community arts-based involvement, environmental education, arts education and cultural exchange.

It all started in 1995 by a group of Olympia residents to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Earth Day and to support the Congressional renewal of the Endangered Species Act.  Now, 15 years later, the Procession regularly draws approximately 30,000 spectators and 2-3000 participants. 

The Procession is completely non-commercial and made possible by community contributions.  These contributions include things like money, materials, time and skills.  Minimal donations are suggested and no one is turned away for lack of funds.

Seven weeks prior to the Procession (which occurs on the Saturday after Earth Day) activity preparing for the Procession begins.  Studios are open to the public to work on their costumes.  The studios are staffed by volunteers and become a central meeting place for art, creation, music, dance and costume design.  Mostly donated or found materials are used to express the appreciation for the natural world - for the creation of costumes, banners, floats, puppets, drums and more!