The Cleveland Museum of Art’s 23rd annual Parade the Circle is happening this Saturday, June 9.
The parade, which has become a huge and much-anticipated yearly event since its beginning in 1990, kicks off at noon along Wade Oval Drive in University Circle, Cleveland. Robin VanLear, the museum’s artistic director for community arts, has been in charge of this event since the very beginning.
As she puts it, she doesn’t so much as curate or organize Parade the Circle as she “designs” it, bringing out the artist in her. “I can’t keep that out of what I do,” she said, “Each year, I’m thinking about the parade, the look I want it to have and what I’m hoping to emphasize in that year. Movement? Music? A concept, like recycled materials? Color? Our place in the world? The theme will trigger all that.”
This year, she chose “Branches Become Roots; Cycles: Coming Back/Going Forward” as a theme.
“I frequently consult with other people,” VanLear explains, “but sometimes, a phrase just springs into my mind, maybe not initially associated with a parade theme.”
Visitors to the event on Saturday can expect to see University Circle come alive with color, music and art for all ages. Things to see include a spectacular display of bright costumes, giant puppets, stilt-dancers, handmade masks, and colorful floats. A range of activities to do and food will also be available.
Organizers expect a crowd of about 75,000, so expect a very festive parade.
