Hip, Hop to Easter Parade
Sharon Bancroft , Allegra Mather Nick Reading and Josiah Bancroft share a curbside seat at the Easter on Parade. 2008.
Easter on Parade struts its stuff this weekend down Monument Avenue from Allen to Davis. That means, you, Richmond. Easter on Parade is over 30 years old. It was started by local residents to celebrate the beauty of Monument Avenue. Now, it's a Richmond rite of spring where the people are the parade. And everybody is invited to join in. What You'll See: -Funny hats. Because people are the parade, the point is people watching. From bunny ears to elaborate homemade concoctions with branches, birds, Easter eggs, chicks and fake grass, anything goes at the Easter Parade. Just make sure you're wearing something on your noggin. -Pets with funny hats. Both the people and the pets participate in bonnet contests. -Music. The Mills Family Band will be performing a variety of everything from rock and country to R&B on the main stage. -Roving entertainment from Jonathan (The Juggler) Austin, More or Less Morris Dancers and Applause Unlimited. -Food. Espresso A-Go-Go will be serving coffee and cappuccinos, plus Strawberry St. Café, Big Daddy's Barbecue, gyros from Nadar's Bistro, hot dogs from Dogs R Us, Cherry Hill Ice Cream and more. Here's the schedule: 1 p.m. & 2 p.m.: The Mills Family 3 p.m.: Pet Bonnet Contest 4 p.m.: People Bonnet Showcase All held at the Main Stage at Allen Avenue. Some changes this year: No bands are scheduled at houses, unless scheduled by the homes themselves. Venture Richmond decided to concentrate on the main stage. No petting zoo for the kids. Sorry kids! You'll have to pet all the pugs and toy dogs with their bonnets instead. Spring arts preview (style does that all the time) Artist of the month/week Round up of 3rd Thursday, art related events (first Fridays, 4th Fridays) Easter on Parade: How many people came last year? 20,000-25,000 people, we've done up to 30,35,000 Mavis wynn, events operations manager, The event is 30 years old, about, we've been doing, The mills family band 1 p.m. & 2 p.m. (variety of everything from rock to country to r&b) 3 p.m. is the pet bonnet showcase 4 p.m. people showcase Main stage is at the lee monument, vayde r dots mainstage Lite 98 coordinates the contest, we don't know the prizes It's a tradition, gives them a chance to visit monument ave., they get to wear their bonnets, dress up their dogs, one fo the few events where the participants are the actual parade, Vendors: craft vendors, pet paraphernalia, expresso a go go will be there, coffee, capp, chai teas, strawberry st. café will be there, dogs r us, everybodys favorite hot dog, cherry hill ice cream, big daddies barbecue, spiral fries, special events concessions, tricity concessions, nadar's bistro gyros, beef & chicken, greek salad, shish kababs with salad, falafel, There will be children's activities, no petting zoo this year, no sure if there will be bonnet making… We have done it in the past, but this year we concentrated on the main stage, no bands at houses, unless the residents themselves have invited Do you think it will be hurt by Strawberry Hill attendance? It's sat, this is Sunday…might be people who wore their hats there will Do you know what the shriners will be dressing up as? What is the schedule, can you send/music? Vendors? Why do you think this is a Richmond tradition? How many people in the pet & people showcase? Then link to more easter events? Like maymont, lewis ginter, etc. Easter on Parade Sunday, April 12 Monument Avenue between Allen and Davis streets, free admission, 1-5 p.m. Easter on Parade, the beloved Richmond tradition of "parading" down scenic Monument Avenue continues this year! Join more than 10,000 people as they converge upon the four-block site to celebrate the arrival of spring. Music fills the air with art and jewelry vendors, fun for children, food vendors, and people and dog watching are all a part of the holiday celebration. Two main highlights of the annual event are the pet bonnet and people bonnet showcases on the main stage at Allen Avenue. Be sure to enter your beloved Fido or your beautiful bonnet. Easter on Parade is produced by Venture Richmond. For more information, call (804) 788-6466 or visit www.venturerichmond.com.
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