Catty Wampus Puppet Parade; image submitted

Local arts nonprofit Cattywampus Puppet Council will host its 3rd annual giant puppet community arts parade, the Appalachian Puppet Pageant. The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 11, 2019. It will be held in East Knoxville in partnership with Carpetbag Theatre, African American Appalachian Arts, Inc, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, and Our Community Organization.

This parade seeks to bring together community members of all ages and backgrounds to share their stories and collective concerns through the visual and performing arts, while playing together and raising power and joy as a community. Parade line up is at 11am at Dr. Walter Hardy Park. The parade will kick off at 12pm and conclude with a block party from 1-4pm at Paul Hogue Park at the corner of Chestnut and Selma. The block party will feature live hip-hop, spoken word, and dance performances, as well as art making, play, and garden activities for all ages. Both the parade and block party are free and everyone is invited.

This year's parade theme is "I See You.” Community members are invited to craft individual and collaborative giant puppets, masks, costumes, flags, and other art around this theme and parade together as one. For more information, visit www.cattywampuspuppetcouncil.com. Resources for learning how to build giant puppets and make other art for the parade can also be found on the Cattywampus Puppet Council website. Cattywampus is currently looking for volunteers for the day of the parade, as well as donations of supplies and financial support. Information about getting involved with the parade is available on the group's website at Appalachian Puppet Pageant.