Woo Hoo!
We’re back! The Lantern Festival will be held on February 3th, 2024, and the March of the Vegetables will happen on March 30, 2024.
A parade for vegetables?
Yes, a parade for vegetables! The March of the Vegetables parade celebrates the the Snoqualmie Valley – the art, agriculture, beauty, and quirky, vibrant small-town communities. The fourth annual March of the Vegetables parade will be held in the streets of Downtown Duvall on March 30, 2023. It will be followed by an after-party with live music, kids activities, and a beer garden at Depot Park.
The parade is a pedestrian-only event, populated with people-powered floats, handmade costumes, and musicians, all coming together to welcome the vegetables back for another growing season. We celebrate beauty and whimsy, creativity, and community integrity.
The parade begins at 3:00pm at the Houston Barclay parking lot, (located at 26401 NE Richardson St.) and ends at Depot Park.
Ok, but why a parade? Must we really dress as radishes? (Yes.)
1. To celebrate and honor the work that our local farmers do to feed us. Did you know that King County's agricultural areas, which include the beautiful Snoqualmie Valley, have the capacity to produce over 50% of the daily caloric needs for all county residents? Get in on that tasty, healthy food!
2. To contribute a unique event to an already vibrant Snoqualmie Valley culture, rich with beauty, connection, and creativity.
3. To provide a forum for established and emerging artists living in the area.
4. To bring the community together, during the dark winter months, through the creation of art.
Why March? Isn't it rainy in March?
March is the perfect time to symbolically welcome the vegetables back, similar to the manner that fisherman ceremonially bless their fleet. Think of it as a surprise party for the peas!
And surprisingly, the weather isn’t as bad as one might expect. Ten years of weather data reveals an average temperature of 45 degrees, with daytime highs warmer than that, and many days in late March have no rain, or very light rain. A parade in March allows us to create art all winter, and then emerge to celebrate spring! But don’t chicken out if it rains! Think about the kale!
Where will the art come from?
We work with local artists, art teachers, businesses, and neighborhood groups to encourage them to build floats and costumes for the parade on their own and through parade-sponsored art classes.
How does this event affect
local businesses?
The event brings people to the downtown core, benefiting local businesses. In addition to consumer traffic on the day of the event, we hope business owners get exposure that leads to future business.
What if I don't want to be a vegetable?
The parade welcomes representations of all aspects of a healthy Snoqualmie Valley! But we ask you to adhere to these three rules, adapted from our mentors (and March of the Vegetables inspiration) at the Procession of the Species Celebration;
No written words or symbols. We are constantly bombarded with words and symbols, and this parade will be a chance to take a visual break and simply enjoy the art. Symbols mean different things to different people, creating division. Our goal is to come together as one species. Leave your peace signs, flags, and club uniforms at home this time!
No pets or live animals, with the exception of Service Animals.
No motorized vehicles or musical amplification. Of course, a motorized wheelchair is certainly permitted.
How can YOU get involved?
Excited to volunteer or to contribute financially? Please send us your information via the Volunteer page or visit our Patron and Sponsorship pages to learn more.
Teachers, scout leaders, community organizers, parade enthusiasts (yes, parade enthusiast is a thing), we’d love to hear from you! Send us an email at marchofthevegetables@gmail.com.
Or, if you'd just like to march in the parade adorned as a vegetable, join us!
