One of the Beloved Shoestring Theater Puppets at the Front of T odays Parade from Washington Avenue to Mayo Street Arts.

The  25 Members of the”Ideal Maine Band,” Directed by Jeremy Fink. Led the Parade at 4:00 pm This Afternoon.  The non-profit is 7 years old.

Numerous beloved puppets known as the Shoestring Theater, Marionettes participated in the kick-off parade this afternoon for the Puppets in Portand International Festival.  The parade began at 4:00 pm on the parking lot next to Root Cellar on Washington Avenue and traveled down Oxford Street to the Mayo Street Arts. That’s where a brief puppet show was set to be held according to Ian Bannon, Executive Director of the small arts center on the east end of Portland.  The entire event, parade and puppet show,  was expected to last about an hour according to Bannon.

This afternoon’s parade kicked off the Festival that began on Friday, September 13 and runs through September 22, 2024.  The ten day international  event includes groups from Barcelona; Montreal; San Juan Puerto Rico; Portland, Oregon; Baltimore, Maryland;  North Hampton, Massachusetts; and Vermont.

Last week’s productions focused on local  groups.  This  coming week the focus will be on international groups.

For a schedule of upcomng performances, please visit:  puppetsinportland.org