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!
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