**Celebrating Creativity and Nature at the Olympia Procession of the Species**
Each spring, Olympia, Washington, comes alive with a celebration of art, nature, and community: the **Procession of the Species**. This vibrant parade invites participants to express their creativity through costumes, floats, and performances that honor the beauty of the natural world.
One of the most striking displays this year was a radiant **papier-mâché sun figure**, its expressive green eyes and vivid red lips capturing the joyful energy of the event. Wrapped in flowing pink and yellow ribbons, this dazzling creation floated through the streets, illuminating the parade route with warmth and color. Against the backdrop of towering trees and city streets, the sun figure was a reminder of the festival’s deep connection to the environment.
The **Procession of the Species** was founded on the principles of community collaboration and ecological awareness. Participants craft their costumes and floats with sustainability in mind, using repurposed materials to bring imaginative creatures, flora, and celestial bodies to life. The parade adheres to three simple but meaningful rules:
1. **No written words or signs** – letting the visual artistry speak for itself.
2. **No live animals** – ensuring the focus remains on symbolic representations of nature.
3. **No motorized vehicles** – keeping the event eco-friendly and in harmony with the spirit of the procession.
From the regal strut of a hand-painted heron costume to the shimmering scales of a dragonfish float, the procession is a canvas for limitless artistic expression. Every year, families, artists, and volunteers work together to bring their visions to life, contributing to an event that feels as much like a moving art gallery as a parade.
As the **sun figure** drifted past cheering crowds, it embodied what the Procession of the Species is all about—celebration, connection, and the enduring harmony between humanity and the natural world. If you missed it this year, be sure to mark your calendar for next spring. Whether you choose to march, craft, or simply marvel at the creativity on display, the procession is an experience that leaves everyone a little more inspired.
