Creative ideas to jump into Procession

By Lisa Pemberton | The Olympian • Published April 26, 2007

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Decorate the outside with paint, glitter and ribbons, and voila - you're ready to shake your way through the streets of downtown Olympia.

Five-gallon buckets also make handy instruments.

"You turn the bucket over, decorate it and that's a great drum," Mercier said.

For a drum stick, use a stick, a piece of bamboo or just your fingers.

4. Get in the groove.

Several music and dance groups are holding workshops to prepare for the Procession.

In most cases, music and dance experience is not required.

Some people take as many classes that are offered; others jump in with a group on Procession day.

Scott Bishop of Olympia is involved in several musical groups, including Drum Fun, which practices from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays in the youth room at The United Churches.

"Its kind of a leaderless opportunity to explore rhythm," he said. "... Sometimes our rhythms will go on for 15 or 20 minutes. It's a lot of fun."

People are encouraged to bring their own instruments, if they have them. However, the group also has plenty of instruments to share.

For Bishop, the workshops and the Procession itself are about getting adults to be more creative and more involved in the community.

"The real point of the Procession is to be in it and not to be a spectator," he said. "When you're in it, you're actually part of the community."

Lisa Pemberton writes for The Olympian. She can be reached at 360-704-6871 or lpemberton@theolympian.com.

If you go

What: 2007 Procession of the Species

When: Begins at 4:30 p.m. April 28

Where: Groups traditionally begin assembling at Legion Way and Cherry Street between Jefferson and Chestnut streets in downtown Olympia.

Details: There are only three rules for Procession: No pets, no written words and no motorized vehicles. Participants are asked to register and bring two cans of food for Thurston County Food Bank to the event.

Information: Call 360-705-1087 or go to www.procession.org.

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