The earth has certainly had quite the slumber this winter and while we've had warmer days recently it's time to Wake Up the Earth with the annual parade and festival this Saturday!
Heather Goldin
The Wake Up The Earth Parade on South Street
This year is the 40th Wake Up the Earth Festival! The festival has a fascinating creation story. It began in 1979 when a group of local neighbors and activists came together to stop the Interstate 95 expansion into Jamaica Plain -- and won their fight! Thus the festival is "a celebration of what can be accomplished when people of all traditions, cultures, ages, and beliefs come together to make a difference," according to Spontaneous Celebrations' website.
The Wake Up the Earth Festival takes place outside the Stonybrook MBTA Station and features several stages of live music, dance performances, theater, a youth stage, puppetry and more.
There will be more than 50 craft, non-profit organizations and local food vendors. Local vendors are selling crafts, clothing, gardening supplies and transplants for you to start your garden.
There are a lot of great children's activities like music circles with instruments that provided, yoga, hill sledding (without the snow) and it's not a kids event without face painting.
This year two community parades will merge into one to form the Wake Up the Earth Parade. Adults and kids are encouraged to come join many great marching bands including Honk, Afro Brazil and more. Whether you're in a band or not, dress up and join in!
The two parades are assembling at:
Curtis Hall Community Center, 20 South St., JP at 10:30 am. Please contact coordinator Hope Haff at 617-676-7006 or
wakeuptheearthparade@gmail.com for information and questions.
Egleston YMCA, 3134 Washington St., Roxbury at 11 am. Please contact Luis Cotto at luis@eglestonsquare.org for information and questions.
The are also drop in sessions at Spontaneous Celebrations (45 Danforth St., Jamaica Plain)) to make banners, fantastic birds and animals to carry, puppets or costumes through May 3 from 3:30 to 7 pm. All ages are welcome and a voluntary donation is suggested. Please call Haff ahead of time if you are bringing a group at 617-676-7006.