HAC is combining efforts between Last Fridays & the Art Walk; the Handmade Market (previously Art in the Heart); and the RETURN of Hillsborough's legendary spectacle of art and creativity, Handmade Parade, for an immersive, exciting Weekend of Art in Hillsborough, NC on Friday & Saturday, April 29-30, 2022!
2018 Handmade Parade, Photos by Donn Young
HANDMADE PARADE
SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2022
Handmade Parade is a biannual, community tradition, and, after a 4 year hiatus, this legendary, community-fueled spectacle of imagination RETURNS! It's time to dance together in the streets of Hillsborough in celebration of art, fun, and creativity!
PARADE THEME:
FOUND OBJECT ART
(UP-CYCLING, ARTS ACCESSIBILITY, ENVIRONMENTALISM)
STAGING AT 3 PM
PARADE START:​
4 PM
AT BURWELL SCHOOL
HISTORIC SITE
Handmade Parade is a grassroots, Mardi Gras-style street parade featuring wild costumes, painted faces, puppets (small & giant), stilt-walkers, marching bands, dancers, and so much more.
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We invite all community members, whether you come with a paper-bag puppet or a giant, cardboard & Papier-mâché grasshopper, to craft your creative addition to the community show and join us to dance in the streets of Hillsborough for the Weekend of Art!
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This year, Handmade Parade will end in Hillsborough's River Park, joining with Handmade Market, for end-of-parade jamboree and celebrations.
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SUPPORT THE PARADE!
$15 per group
Free art isn't free. Community arts events are only made possible with your support! Donate to keep your favorite local arts opportunities and traditions around for generations to come.
PUPPET & COSTUME INSPO!
Like art, Handmade Parade is for everyone. This year's FOUND OBJECT ART theme invites you to craft a creative addition to the show with objects you can find!
Cardboard, paper bags, old backpacks, helmets, hats, stray wire, dowels, newspaper, etc. can all be transformed into a handmade masterpiece you can wear for the parade.
Get inspired by this comprehensive manual on The Art of Puppet Building by Tinka Jordy, Handmade Parade's originator and Program Chair of many years, and previous Board Chair for the Hillsborough Arts Council.
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Or find more inspiring resources to help get you started below, but we encourage you to let your imagination and ingenuity be your biggest guide!
COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS!
Need more guidance? No problem!
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See below for a list of upcoming Handmade Parade Activity Tables:
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March 25, 6-9 PM - Last Friday & the Art Walk on the Old Orange County Courthouse Lawn! Led by Debra Wuliger with support from the Art Therapy Institute.
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April 1, 6-9 PM - Eno Arts Mill Opening at the Art Therapy Institute!
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April 29, 6-9 PM - Last Friday & the Art Walk on the Old Orange County Courthouse Lawn!
Keep your favorite local arts opportunities and traditions around for generations to come.
PARADE PARKING & ROUTE!
PARADE STAGING: 3 PM
PARADE START: 4 PM
On-Street Parking
Free three-hour parking is available in the following locations:
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West & East King Street
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Court Street
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East Margaret Lane
Free all-day parking is available in the following locations:
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West & East King Street
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South Cameron Street
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Parking Lots
Free three-hour parking is available in the following locations:
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Bank of America Parking Lot, accessed from Churton & West King streets
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Mayo Park Parking Lot, accessed from West King Street
Parking Deck
Free all-day parking is available in Orange County's Eno River Parking Deck, accessed from Margaret Lane or Nash and Kollock Street.
PERFORMERS TO SPOT!
... and many more!
END-OF-PARADE CELEBRATIONS!
This year's parade will end at around 5 PM back in River Park to meet with the Handmade Market!
After parade finale, jamboree, and a puppet 'petting zoo'/meet-the-artist opportunity, as is tradition, we encourage you to enjoy the first Handmade Market - Lay a blanket in the grass; grab some dinner, ice cream, a snack, or kombucha, enjoy the live music, peruse the local artists' original, handmade work, and enjoy a beautiful evening in the park to conclude a weekend of celebrating art and creativity as a community.
COMMUNITY GUIDELINES!
This parade is about the love of art and community!
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Please be kind and keep your costumes respectful to all.
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Please no passing out flyers along the parade route, throwing merch, candy, or distributing goods of any kind. Carrying banners or otherwise representing your group/organization in your puppets/costumes is permitted.
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Well behaved pets permitted, at owners liability, especially if in costume. Pets are also welcome in River Park during the Handmade Market!
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No politics, hate speech, violence, or disorderly conduct of any kind. Anyone exhibiting this behavior will be asked to leave.
