Fox Festival Parade

The Fox Festival Parade is envisioned as a celebration of the neighborhood of East Arlington, the Fox Library, resilient community spirit, creativity, environmental stewardship, and urban wildlife.

WHY THE FOX?

The much-loved Fox Library offers a vibrant, friendly space for afterschool learning and small scale community gatherings. The name originated with Edith M. Fox, the generous donor who provided funds for the library to construct a new home in 1969. But thanks in part to artist and library neighbor Shunsuke Yamaguchi, the fox has become the library’s mascot and a symbol of its survival of tougher economic times when the community rallied to save it from closing. Wild foxes also survive in Arlington thanks to habitat provided by the town’s remaining green spaces, including Spy Pond and the areas surrounding the Alewife Brook.  Environmental stewardship is a core value in Arlington, and protecting urban wildlife is an essential aspect of this commitment. of stewarding our environment.

So the fox is a mascot for something even bigger than the library — for community spirit and activism which works to make our neighborhood, and the world, a better place!

ADVANCE WORKSHOPS
For the parade, Arlington Public Art organizes workshops to make giant puppets in collaboration with the Thompson School (for students in grades 2 to 5) and the Fox Library (for kids and families), and Hardy School.

FOX FESTIVAL PARADE happens amidst Capitol Square’s Feast of the East celebration

The Parade is led by an awesome brass band. Kids from area schools like Thompson and Hardy carry giant puppets of urban animals and school  mascots and march along the sidewalks of Capitol Square to form a festive pageant!

FOX FESTIVAL PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS

The Fox Festival is organized by Arlington Commission on the Arts & Culture in collaboration with the Fox Library, Thompson School, Hardy School, & the Capitol Square Business Association. It is supported by grants from the Grant Committee of ACAC, Arlington Center for the Arts, Friends of the Fox Library, Vision 2020 & the Town of Arlington.

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Fox Festival Details

The annual Fox Festival Parade kicks off the Feast of the East festival in Capitol Square in June.  

Please join us – this participatory parade was started to celebrate the Fox Library, community, creativity, and Arlington wildlife.  It has grown to include messages of environmental activism of all kinds.  Contribute your voice – come to a workshop or make your own costumes and signs. Are you concerned about climate change? Habitat loss? Ocean plastic?  Speak up!

Make a mask, banner or puppet inspired by local animals in free workshops. 

You can also DIY – make your own costume, flag, or signs inspired by the theme of nature, animals, and environmental stewardship at home with family and friends.  Know how to juggle or stilt? Twirl a baton? Play the kazoo? Want to make a giant moveable sculpture of a fox on wheels?  Please join us! All are welcome in the parade.

PARADE PARTNERS & SPONSORS

Fox Library, Friends of the Fox, Arlington Commission on the Arts & Culture/LIVE ARTS ARLINGTON, Thompson School, Hardy School & Hardy School PTO, Capitol Square Business Association, Arlington Center for the Arts, Recycling Committee, and the Town of Arlington

Background

Scenes from Fox Festival Parade parade as participants are led down Mass Ave through East Arlington by the Second Line Social Aid and Pleasure Society Brass Band and Parade Marshall Joe Curro.