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Puppeteer Mark Jenks participates in parade entry Alebrije ("Magical Vision")
Puppeteer Mark Jenks participates in parade entry Alebrije ("Magical Vision") Photo: Diane Hansson

Parade the Circle Celebration

Held the second Saturday of June each year in the University Circle area of Cleveland, this day-long event integrates the visual arts, dance, and music. A parade created by the Cleveland Museum of Art is the centerpiece, with giant puppets, dazzling costumes, floats, and performance ensembles. The presentation emphasizes original artistic expression, using none of the words, logos, motorized vehicles, or live animals that are typical of parade entries. Even marching groups do not appear in their regular uniforms, but are creatively transformed to reflect a particular theme. The parade lasts about an hour and includes about 1,500 participants. The rest of the celebration is called the Wade Oval Festivities, named after the Wade Oval Green where it takes place from 11 a.m. till 4 p.m. More than 30 hands-on activities for children are held under tents. Each participating University Circle institution plans a creative tent activity reflecting its mission, such as "Musical Discovery: It's Instrumental" by the Cleveland Orchestra and the Cleveland Music School Settlement. In addition to these activities, a variety of entertainment appealing to all ages and musical tastes takes place on three stages.

Project materials include seven pages of text, five 8 x 10 color photos and fifteen color slides with accompanying descriptions, a map, flyers and programs from the 1996-1999 parades, a video of the 1997 parade, and a poster from the 1999 parade.

Originally submitted by: Mike Dewine , Senator.



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The Local Legacies project provides a "snapshot" of American Culture as it was expressed in spring of 2000. Consequently, it is not being updated with new or revised information with the exception of "Related Website" links.

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