Art Project

Magic Smelt is building on past success to carry on the Smelt Parade as a proud local tradition. We wish to coordinate a fanciful, engaging procession to accompany our giant Smelt Queen puppet on the Lakewalk. This will be a visual and musical spectacle, celebrating the extraordinary phenomenon of the smelt run. The Smelt Parade depends on people of all ages playing together. This is a time out from the constant demands and stress of modern life. We wish to celebrate the abundance of smelt, the glory of Springtime, the majesty of Lake Superior, and the beauty of our own uninhibited creativity. The key to our success will be to engage students, families, and a diverse community of volunteer participants. We intend to recruit perhaps 100 costumed and masked performers and puppeteers. Additionally, we expect to attract another couple of hundred spectators. Our parade is intrinsically a community event. People will come if they enjoy themselves. We make it easy for people to participate at their own level. In past years we have worked with girl scouts making crowns and rod puppets, dads on stilts, and grandmas sewing costumes. We plan to welcome and encourage citizens of all ages. We receive financial support from of the Downtown Council, Park Point Community Club and local businesses. The uniqueness and strong visual elements of our parade is popular in local news coverage. Video documentation allows us to review our effort.