The first Artrageous Parade made its way down Spring Street in 1997, and ever since it’s been an annual tradition that kicks off the Eureka Springs May Festival of the Arts the first Saturday of the month.
The Arts Council’s decision to drop the parade from its May roster in order to broaden and create more events during the month long celebration was met with confusion and sadness.
The good news is the parade is back on.
With support from the CAPC, events director Andy Green and the generous donations of some locals for prize money, I am taking on the task of getting this year’s parade off the ground.
The Artrageous Parade is always a crowd pleaser and arguably the local favorite of the plethora of parades that happen in our town all year. It’s the parade that showcases this town’s creativity like no other, with a cast of local characters always primed and ready to go.
This year’s Grand Marshal is Valerie Damon, illustrator, painter, sculptor, writer and performer, an obvious choice. She’s a Eureka Springs treasure who uses her face and body as canvas and who has entertained and delighted thousands of people throughout the years with her long flowing dreadlocks, unique costumes and face paint.
Valerie has written and illustrated many children’s books and has adapted her book, Willo Mancifoot and the Mugga Killa Whomps into an original children’s musical that will have its world premiere the evening of May 5 in our Auditorium.
I got a sneak peak at a fundraising function for the play last week where I heard snippets from the musical numbers, sung live, as well as presentations from Valerie, director Larry Horn, set and lighting designer Marvin Jonason, and composer Catherine Yoder. It has Valerie’s vision and magic written all over it and will be a big deal for our town during our month long festival.
Mardi Gras, aka, Eureka Gras has turned into a major week-long party and celebration in February, but due to some nasty weather, the day parade was canceled.
Never ones to give up, the EurekaGras revelers will join the Artrageous Parade and I say the more the merrier. Any time we get to see the late great artist Jack Miller’s jaguar and giant red high-heel floats is a major bonus.
Add Cinco de Mayo to the mix and we have makings of a very colorful and outrageous Artrageous Parade.
If you have participated in past parades you know you will be getting a call and if you are new and want to participate, please contact me at johnrankine69@gmail.com or Andy Green at henry.green@gmail.com