Press Release
Ever wonder what a creature from the “Plasticine Era” might look like? Or a wardrobe containing repurposed marine debris? Now is your chance, during the annual Earth Eve Parade, which kicks off AHA! Night on Thursday, April 11th, celebrating our Sustainable South Coast. The parade, beginning with the crowning of Mother Earth and Father Ocean at 5:15 pm at the corner of Market and Pleasant Streets, will proceed throughout historic downtown New Bedford and is just one of many interactive and planet-friendly activities that will take place that evening.
Hip-hop artist and author Tem Blessed is returning to MC the parade festivities and will crown Mother Earth and Father Ocean 2024 by presenting them with unique scepters created by former Mother Earth Diana Painter. Chosen by the Greater New Bedford Earth Eve Committee for their exceptional stewardship towards the natural environment, Jennifer Smith, the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Superintendent, will be Mother Earth, and Robert Shaheen, New Bedford Public Schools, Director of Food and Nutrition Services, will be Father Ocean.
Jen and Rob will lead marchers and their eco-float creations (fossil fuels for locomotion are prohibited) along the procession route. The route begins at Market and Pleasant Street and continues to William Street, going East until Acushnet Avenue. From there, the parade will turn right toward Union and make its way West, up Union, returning to Pleasant and Market Streets for closing remarks.
Parade highlights include the “Sea Monster: Creature of the Plasticine Era,” created from more than 30,000 collected nip bottles by Rebecca McGee Tuck, the visiting CVPA artist for sculpture and sustainability in collaboration with UMass Dartmouth sculpture professor Stacy Savage and multiple volunteers and students. A Marine Debris Float, comprised of climate-conscious individuals standing against plastic pollution, attired in wearable art pieces from ocean trash and debris. The float was the brainchild of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park marine debris artist-in-residence Elaine Alder.
Visitors can take in a comprehensive assortment of experiences outside the parade by following the yellow AHA! flags. AHA! events, some of which begin at 4 p.m. and mainly conclude by 8 p.m., offer something for people of all ages to enjoy. There will be art exhibitions, craft making, poetry reading, and plenty of music experiences, for example:
• Live music and poetry in honor of the planet
• Garden-centric craft events
• Wampanoag educators gathering
• Art gallery & exhibit experiences
Free parking is available at the Elm Street Garage. Check here for a complete list of AHA! events and activities Thursday night. Everyone is encouraged to check back regularly as more events get added daily. Printed lists can be found at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Visitors Center and the New Bedford Free Public Library on the day of the event.
Visit https://ahanewbedford.org/
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