March 21st is World Puppetry Day. This is an important occasion for my family since my husband has been a part-time puppet maker for over two decades. From green zombies in leather jackets to the Edgar Allan Poe puppet featured below, he’s helped to spark my interest in this fascinating field of artistry.
If you too are curious about puppetry, there are plenty of places across the country where you can get involved this weekend.
Sparta, Michigan
The West Michigan Puppetry Guild is hosting the Tally-Ho! National Day of Puppetry Festival from 1 to 4 on Saturday the 21st. From puppet shows to puppet making, this event is sure to be perfect for the newbie puppet makers and the seasoned pros alike!
Glenview, Illinois
On Saturday, the Chicagoland Puppetry Guild is hosting an entire day of activities, starting with a puppet flash mob at 10 a.m. The organizers are aiming to break the record for “most puppets in a flash mob.” And who doesn’t want to get involved with that? Afterwards, enjoy a string puppet variety show and an international puppetry exhibit, including make-it-and-take-it puppet crafts.
Seattle, Washington
The Puppeteers of Puget Sound are coordinating a citywide schedule of all-day events on March 21st. Local theaters including Seattle Children’s Theatre and Pocket Theatre as well as the Northwest Puppet Center are just a few of the venues for this great family friendly day of fun. A must-see for those of you in the Pacific Northwest.
Baltimore, Maryland
The Black Cherry Puppet Theater will be hosting an all ages event on Sunday, March 22nd from 3 to 4 p.m. See a variety of puppets, including marionettes, shadow puppets, and ventriloquism. Admission is free, though donations are always welcome.
Philadelphia, Pennyslvania
A good rule to follow in life: if something is billed as a “Puppet Palooza and Puppet Slam Night,” then you should probably consider attending. The Meeting House Theater will feature a variety of shows and workshops from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Incorporating fairy tales and fables, this is one event not to be missed for those of you in my home state!
Be sure to check out the full listing of events on the Puppeteers of America website. There’s a good chance there’s a puppet event somewhere in your area this weekend!
Happy haunting, and happy World Puppetry Day!