by Kirby Lindsay, posted 16 May 2011
This column originally posted in 2011 and is being re-posted as background for the upcoming Fremont Solstice Parade, as produced by the Fremont Arts Council, returning for the 30th Annual on June 16th at 1p.
Leslie Zenz, Director of the 2011 Fremont Arts Council (FAC) Solstice Parade announced, “I love parades!” This isn’t the job talking. “I do parades all over the region,” she explained, including the Procession of the Species in her home town of Olympia.
Zenz first encountered the magic of the Solstice Parade when she received a McKay grant and attended as a visiting artist. Since then, she has served three years on the FAC Board of Directors, and worked as the Parade Director for the last three years.
How Can We Help You?
Zenz will channel the chaos that will transform into the 2011 Solstice Parade with her indispensible staff – paid volunteers that receive a small stipend. The team consists of Mylinda Sneed, as Communications Manager, David Marine as Workshop Manager, Ricky Gene Powell as (Gas Works) Park Coordinator and, the newest member, Toni Mikulka as Studio Coordinator.
They do not build the parade. The Solstice Parade, an elaborate, tactile, get involved, work of celebration art, depends upon scores and scores of volunteer artists, assistants and random willing hands – including yours. Everyone, and anyone, can help make the Solstice Parade a reality, to get it rolling down the street at Noon on Saturday, June 18th.
“People can show up without any experience,” Zenz explained, “we can make space for them.” The team will coordinate, supervise, assist and maybe even suggest. “We have staff that can help with design ideas,” Zenz offered, “We want to encourage people to do it on their own, and we try to support them as we can.”
Zenz described a majority of parade entries as ensembles, with a float or without. Ensembles can number as few as five participants, or as many as 70 (last year’s ‘Yellow Submarine’.) “If they need people, we will try to send them people,” Zenz explained, as well as help on technical questions, finding building materials, etc.
Help Yourself – Get Involved
“That’s our number one,” Zenz explained, “getting people to get involved.” Over its three decades, a prevailing motto at the FAC has become, ‘Here, hold this!’ It refers to the way drop-in visitors can quickly become enmeshed in the parade build simply by providing a free hand.
“We have a stable of volunteers that love the parade,” Zenz said, “and we ask them to come and teach, and they do.” The parade staff seek out instructors to lead engaging workshops, offered for free or low cost, usually open to all ages and a variety of abilities. “Workshops make a difference,” Zenz stated, in defining the mission of the Solstice Parade.
This year participants can learn giant flower making, creation & use of a hula hoop, stilt walking, papier-mâché, batik & fabric dye, leather mask making, and the list goes on (and will be available on the FAC website.) The FAC Dave McKay Grant program annually contributes funds to a few parade ensembles, and Zenz requests that recipients (there were 8 this year) teach workshops that relate to their ensemble.
In addition, the studio space – the Powerhouse, at 3940 Fremont Avenue North – will be open to all artists building the parade, on weekdays from 6p – 9p, and weekends Noon – 5p, starting May 21st. “We have a lot of people who build through the FAC,” Zenz acknowledged, although have chosen to build ‘in the garage,’ at home or off-site, such as Doric Lodge #92, Salmon Bay School and the Rainbow City Marching Band.
Come In, Come In!
Zenz enjoys the spontaneous, unexpected entries that always show up each year. Last year, a giant ball rolled down the streets of Fremont, with spectators dashing out to form a human path that, “was completely unplanned,” Zenz admitted. “It’s never too late,” she explained. She also praises the ‘miracle projects,’ – those ensembles/floats inspired and built at the absolute last minute.
With a caveat – Zenz emphatically requested that everyone with an ensemble for the Solstice Parade contact her in advance. “They do need to register, for peace of mind,” she begged, “We need to know where to put them.”
“We are aware that, in the past, it has been difficult,” to engage with the FAC, she acknowledged, and she takes seriously the reports she has heard from visitors once deterred by an encounter with a grouchy volunteer, or other impediments, “We want to change that.”
For anyone who feels uneasy, she encouraged them to engage on Facebook, Twitter or send her an e-mail. Also, weekly parade meetings, for input and comments, will take place Thursdays, from 7p – 9p, at the Powerhouse.
The Rules We Live By
Solstice spectators know that just about anything goes in the parade, although there are rules. “All the parades I work on,” Zenz explained, “maintain those three rules.” She believes these rules give the parades their heart.
‘No Written Words’ removes the “corporatizing,” according to Zenz, and allows spectators and performers to make a personal connection. Logos and slogans are out, but Zenz pointed out, “you can speak words.”
‘No motorized vehicles,’ creates a human powered, handmade celebration. “It brings it down to a scale that people can access,” Zenz explained, “when it comes down to what I can make in my garage.”
The third rule – ‘no live animals’ – speaks to simple consideration, to avoid the potential for animal cruelty or abuse.
The Solstice Parade actually has a fourth rule that Zenz let stand without elaboration – no real weapons.
The Solstice Parade season officially kicks-off at Noon on Saturday, May 21st, with the Open Studio at the Powerhouse. Stop by, try out a class, lend a hand, or just poke your head in and engage your imagination. To get answers to any questions, or register an ensemble, contact volunteer@fremontartscouncil.org.
“Everybody come!” Zenz enthusiastically invited. What are you waiting for?
Related Articles
- Take Hold Of Solstice Madness
- by Kirby Lindsay, May 18, 2005 in the North Seattle Herald-Outlook
- More Merriment In The Making For The Solstice Parade
- by Kirby Lindsay, May 16, 2008 in the North Seattle Herald-Outlook
- FAC Highlight Reel: ‘It’s A Parade, For Art’s Sake’
- by Kirby Lindsay, June 11, 2010
- Building A Float
- by Kirby Lindsay, June 14, 2000 in The Seattle Press
- Yes, But Is It Art?
- by Kirby Lindsay, June 22, 2005 in the North Seattle Herald-Outlook
- Will This Be The End Of The Solstice Parade?
- by Kirby Lindsay, June 16, 1999 in The Seattle Press
©2011 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.