The Musketaquid Arts and Environment Program of the Umbrella Community Arts Center hosts an Earth Day celebration on April 28, 2018 (rain date April 29). This vibrant town event is a celebration that brings awareness of local and national environmental issues. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Gathering Places”. This free, four-part celebration welcomes and encourages public participation. For more information, visit http://theumbrellaarts.org or contact Nancy Lippe at nancy@theumbrellaarts.org.

Earth Day Parade: 10:30 – 11:30 am The event kicks off at the Umbrella Community Arts Center on Stow Street where participants gather for a parade down Main Street. All are welcome to join in. Participants may bring their own puppets and banners or pick up one of the large puppets available in front of The Umbrella. The parade with banners, flags, and beautiful giant puppets which depict local plant and animal wildlife bring color and life to the streets of Concord. Professional musical and dancing groups aNova Brazil, Dirty Water Brass Band, and Diabolis In Musica entertain the community and join the parade.

River Ceremony: 11:30 – noon The parade leads to the banks of the Concord River at the Old North Bridge for a River Ceremony. The Ceremony begins with the emergence of the River Spirit played by CC King. The ceremony is accompanied by multicultural performances: improvisational drumming by Grant Smith, Latin American music and dancing performed by Rosalba and the young dancers of La Piñata, and Geri Barney, Navajo woman, singing Native American songs. The River Ceremony concludes with the launching of “Earth Floats” made of natural materials that carry “wishes for the earth.”

Earth Day Festival: Noon – 2:00 pm The merriment continues with a Festival on the grounds of the historic Old Manse, a Trustees of the Reservations property. The entertainment includes several performances. Eric Bornstein’s Behind The Mask Theater presents “The Woman Who Outshone the Sun”, an allegorical play that combines masks, music, dance and storytelling to create a dazzling theatrical experience. A contemporary dance performance by the Jody Weber Dance Company engages the public in the expressive power of movement with excerpts from “Her Sylvan Ascent”. Mass Audubon Society’s Drumlin Farm offers a live presentation on Birds of Prey. There will be activities for children including kite building and spoon making, non-profit exhibitors, and food vendors.

The Earth Month Art Exhibit at the Umbrella Community Arts Center is a non-juried art show featuring works using a variety of media around this year’s theme “Gathering Places”. The gallery is open April 12 through May 6 daily 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Exhibit Opening and Artists’ Reception will be held on Thursday, April 19, from 6:00-8:00pm.