Aspen Prepares for Inaugural Mall Fest Parade

What's the best way to get ready for Aspen's first Mall Fest parade, and how can locals get involved in the costume creation process? The answer starts with a trip to the Red Brick Center for the Arts, where free public workshops and a tuition-based summer camp will be offered to help participants design and build costumes, props, or masks. Program Lead of Aspen Public Art Lara Whitley is excited to see what the community comes up with, given the valley's reputation for going big on costumes. "One thing I love about this valley is how big we go for costumes," she says, "it's a way to celebrate who we are and have some silly fun as a community."

The inaugural Mall Fest 50 Parade, scheduled for June 27, will be an artist-led, people-powered procession of costumes and performances celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Aspen Pedestrian Mall. The parade's theme, "What do you love about this place?" is meant to inspire creativity and imagination in participants of all ages. Whitley notes that the pedestrian mall is often referred to as the "living room of our community," a place where people can gather safely and freely. This idea is central to the parade, which aims to bring the community together in a celebration of art and self-expression.

As the big day approaches, locals are gearing up to design unique costumes. The Art Parade Costume Contest categories include Creative Kids, Best on Theme, Best Use of Upcycled Materials, Larger Than Life, Blast from the Past, Best Group, and Grand Prize. Giveaway prizes for the best costumes, valued at up to $750, will be awarded to the most creative and impressive entries. To get started, registration is now open for hands-on workshops and the summer camp, where participants can learn from experienced artists like Reina Katzenberger, the Art Director of the Parade and a Teaching Artist at the Red Brick Center for the Arts.

The workshops, limited to 14 people per session, will take place on May 27 and June 13, 17, and 25, and will provide a space for participants to work on their costume designs. Katzenberger will also lead the creation of a group costume, a replica of the Silver Queen statue, for those who don't want to come up with their own individual design. The Costume Design Lab summer camp, geared towards kids aged 8-11, will give students the opportunity to develop their costume-making skills, taking short field trips through the community to gather inspiration. The camp runs from June 22-26, with tuition set at $385 and scholarships available.

Here's the thing though: the workshops and summer camp are followed by the main event. The real fun starts when the community comes together to show off their creations. The Art Parade will begin and finish at Wagner Park, followed by a block party at Aspen's Sister Cities Plaza. It's going to be a day of celebration, creativity, and community, and everyone is invited to participate. As Whitley says, "Imagination is wildly encouraged," and it's clear that the possibilities are endless.

Picture this: a sea of colorful costumes, elaborate props, and creative masks, all making their way through the streets of Aspen. It's a unique and exciting event that promises to bring the community together in a way that's both fun and meaningful. And that matters because it's a celebration of the things that make Aspen special, from its stunning natural beauty to its vibrant cultural scene. Not exactly your average parade, the Mall Fest 50 Parade is an opportunity for locals to express themselves, showcase their creativity, and have a blast doing it.

The sun is shining, the music is playing, and the crowd is cheering as the parade makes its way through the streets. It's a moment of pure joy, a celebration of community and creativity. And as the participants show off their costumes, it's clear that this is an event that will be remembered for a long time to come. The smell of food wafts through the air, and the sound of laughter and music fills the streets. It's a truly unique and special event, one that embodies the spirit of Aspen and its community.