Look out Ann Arbor, this weekend Downtown is about to be overrun with “fools.”
Ann Arbor’s very own FestiFools kicks off this Friday! Celebrating 10 years of bringing out the wacky, inspiring and foolish imagination of Ann Arbor’s citizens, FestiFools is a weekend long celebration featuring parades, unique craft beers and food from local businesses, live music and more.
A decade of foolishness
FestiFools started 10 years ago when WonderFool Productions, a non-profit organization dedicated to engaging communities in dynamic and collaborative art experiences, brought together citizens from our community, students from the University of Michigan and The City of Ann Arbor to create wonderful and magical papier-mâché creatures to parade through downtown.
FestiFools is not one, but two artistic parades strolling through Downtown Ann Arbor over the weekend.
The first parade, FoolMoon is a moonlit parade filled with community collaborated illuminated sculptures carried by dancing teams throughout downtown. In addition to the dance teams and sculptures, there is also live music, midnight treats, shadow puppet performances and more surprises waiting to be revealed this Friday.
The second parade, FestiFools is a gigantic public art spectacular with all of the original pieces being created by members of the local community. Thousands of people attend this parade each year from all over Michigan.
Our fools hard at work. #umich #michigan #aa #art #puppets #sculpture #fool #create #dream #big #festifools #stayfoolish A photo posted by FestiFools! (@festifoo) on
Bringing a community together
At the heart of WonderFool’s event is the sense of community. Over the past several months citizens from all over Ann Arbor have been attending workshops hosted by WonderFool to help create their own creature or building their “fools” from home to celebrate with this weekend.
Businesses around town have also joined in the fun such as Grizzly Peak Brewing Company and Blue Tractor BBQ who have come together to brew a special “FoolBrew,” with all proceeds from the craft beer going to FestiFools.
While a lot of the community has come together for this event, there is more work to be done. WonderFool is looking for more Volunteer Puppeteers. The more puppeteers, the more puppets will be in the parade. If you’ve never been in a parade and are looking to enjoy a one-of-a-kind life experience, this weekend may just be your chance. You can register to be a volunteer here.
Event Information:
FullMoon:
DATE: Friday, April 1, 2016
TIME: 8 til midnight
PLACE: Downtown Ann Arbor (Washington & Ashley Streets)
2016 THEME: Metamor-FOOL-sis
FestiFools:
DATE: Sunday, April 3, 2016
TIME: 4:00–5:00pm (Come early for the best seats!)
PLACE: Downtown Ann Arbor (Main St., between Washington and William)
PARKING: Is free on Sundays! (click here for options)
2016 THEME: Rev-FOOL-ution
Make sure for both parades that you get Downtown early to get a good spot to spectate. Whether you’re volunteering or not, make sure you come out and be a fool with the rest of us!