The Wheaton Arts Parade will Kick Off In-Person and Virtually September 20

The fourth annual Wheaton Arts Parade will bring local art to the streets and to your screens this year from Sunday, September 20 through October 3.

In past years, the parade has drawn large crowds with a one-day event, but COVID-19 considerations have called for some changes. This year, the community will be invited to walk the streets of Downtown Wheaton at any time during a two-week event to view the installations, or join from home with their first ever virtual festival.

The upcoming festival will display a “Path of Pyramids” extending around Downtown Wheaton. Thirteen 4 ft and 8 ft tetrahedra were painted and sculpted by local artists, 11 of whom earned the commission in a competition of 45 artists. One pyramid will feature a tribute to Salvadoran heritage in the Wheaton community, and another, created in collaboration with One Montgomery Green, will feature assemblage art made with non-recyclable plastics.

A “Yarn Bomb” will adorn lamp posts along the path with designs crocheted by Latinx artists and Wheaton area residents. A full map of the path can be found here.

The virtual festival, which will be held live on Facebook, will host performances from local musicians, artists, dancers, and groups on the weekends. Scheduled performers include Wheaton Studio of Dance, the Puppet Company, Adventure Theatre, AGT quarter-finalist Kelvin Dukes, The Nighthawks, and Lunch with Bob.

Featured image courtesy of the Wheaton Arts Parade website.

By Alicia Clanton