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SECOND ANNUAL TOWN/GOWN BIG PARADE TAKES OVER OBERLIN MAY 3
APRIL 22, 2003---A giant kangaroo, a man-eating dragon and other equally huge creatures, plus bands, jugglers, giant puppets, stilt walkers and all manner of floats will wind through Oberlin’s downtown Saturday, May 3, as part of the city’s second annual town/gown Big Parade and Festival.
The Parade will begin at 11 a.m. and the festival--a program of free music, crafts, games and food--will be held on Tappan Square from noon until 4 p.m., to be followed by the College’s annual Folk Music Festival, also on the square.
Elementary and middle school children, as well as various college groups and civic organizations are preparing art, dance, and music pieces "to celebrate the community’s rich and eclectic spirit," says Big Parade Co-chair Zachary Moser ’02.
"Developed by numerous organizations and individuals in Oberlin, the Parade is one of the most fun and interactive event of its kind," says Big Parade Co-chair Catherine Goodman ’02. "Spectators and participants become one as the procession’s music and energy draws people from the sidelines right into the show.
Both Moser and Goodman are coordinators of the Oberlin Bike Co-op, and their involvement in the community through the Co-op led to the creation of the Big Parade: "It was conceived by a group of Oberlin College students in the fall of 2001 to engage as many community and college organizations as possible in a collaborative event," they say. "This is what makes the event so extraordinary--different groups in the Oberlin community representing themselves in the Parade give it a diverse and unique flavor."
The Parade Project Committee programs include public float-building workshops, a joint class between Lorain County Academy and FAVA, a class at The MAD factory, and a Parade ExCo. In addition, a number of involved groups include Oberlin High School Art Club, Oberlin High School Marching Band, Oberlin College Student Athletic Activities Committee, Oberlin College Marching Band, The Aikido Club, Oberlin Steel, the Oberlin Bike Co-op After-School Program, the Human Powered Vehicles ExCo, the George Jones Farm, the Samba ExCo, Kendal at Oberlin, Exploration of Puppetry Class, the Pottery Co-op, the Skilled Hands in Training juggling group, the Oberlin Early Childhood Center, the Oberlin Design Initiative, America Reads, OC Rappers, the Oberlin Rotary Club, Oberlin Community Services, OSCA, OSTOMP, Eastwood Elementary school, and WOBC.
For more information, contact Zachary Moser, Big Parade Project, 440/774-3980, Zachary.moser@oberlin.edu
Media Contact: Betty Gabrielli
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