The All-City People’s Parade and Pageant, the community-building art project by the Milwaukee Public Theater and the Milwaukee Mask and Puppet Theatre’s, will be part of LaborFest on Monday, Sept. 7.
The parade’s original route was scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 8, but was cancelled because of storm warnings.
Scores of professional artists and hundreds of volunteers from all parts of the city have created huge puppets, floats and masked creatures from the ground up using cardboard and papier-mâché. Several of the pieces were damaged by the rain, but have been reconstructed in time for the LaborFest parade at 11 a.m. on Wisconsin Avenue.
In addition to the LaborFest parade participants, the All-City People’s Parade will feature giant handcrafted masks, puppets, wacky costumes, offbeat marching bands, people-powered floats and regular citizens celebrating Milwaukee’s hopes, fears, and ultimate sense of community.
At 1 p.m., a narrated pageant will explain the story behind the parade’s colorful and varied elements in front of the Miller Stage at the Meier Festival Park, 200N Harbor Drive.
The event’s theme, "Making a New Way – Together," focuses on the economy, ecology and neighborhood peace. The parade and pageant that follows will have sections titled: "Prosperity is Just Around the Corner;" "Toward an Economy of Lasting Value;" "Toward Harmony in Our Neighborhoods;" "Our Choices Grow the World;" and "Yes, We Can Can-Can!"
Volunteers of all ages and abilities are still needed to actually be in the parade – to carry puppets, push floats and wear masks. Interested people and groups can call the Milwaukee Public Theatre at (414) 347-1685 for more information or email mptheatre2@milwaukeepublictheatre.org.
