Olympia’s Procession of the Species will return in 2024, but volunteers, space are needed
Olympia’s iconic Procession of the Species will return in 2024, after four years without the beloved street celebration of the natural world. The last event was its 25th anniversary in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the event website, next year’s theme will be “The Rise of Reflection,” and the procession will, as always, take place the weekend of April 26-27, the same weekend as Spring Arts Walk.
The event is organized by Earthbound Productions, a nonprofit, and volunteers. You can contact Earthbound Productions for more information about volunteering at 360-705-2331, or by email at agatemoons@yahoo.com.
The pandemic was the main reason the Procession has been on hiatus, but it wasn’t the only problem the production company was facing. This year, they didn’t have the resources for studio space to make it happen. There was little funding and too few volunteers this year.
That’s not all, director Eli Sterling told The Olympian. The group needed time to actually take in the theme of reflection and put that into action. Sterling said the next Procession won’t be an imitation of past events, but something entirely of its own — the beginning of a new era.
“The theme is the rise of reflection. It’s not just a matter of going forward just for the sake of going forward, but there’s a great deal of reflection we need to do, not just for the Procession but for engaging as a community,” Sterling said.
He said it’s important that the Procession’s intention and purpose not get lost on folks and that it stays grounded in the experience of being a human on Earth. A lot has happened since the last Procession to change that, he said. There are health issues showing up in all ages, climate change is worsening, and artificial intelligence is a threat, too, he said.
“There’s a lot at stake, and I think there’s a lot of organizations, theater groups and others that are feeling that,” Sterling said. “We all need to keep our hands in the earth here if we’re going to somehow counteract the imposing things that are going to change us in the future, such as climate change and AI.”
Earthbound Productions still needs an art studio where the event’s creatures and natural wonders are produced, he said. He’s been in contact with city officials and representatives at the Olympia Armory about the possibility of securing a space there. He said the group will be looking for funding to secure a spot.
Angel Nava, Olympia’s arts program specialist, said she’s looking forward to the return of the procession next year.
“Both Procession of the Species and the Luminary Procession by Earthbound Productions have had a long-time connection to Arts Walk that has made for a meaningful community tradition,” she said. “So many community members have expressed how much they miss the Procession and are looking forward to its return.”
They’re always looking for volunteers to join their production crew, Sterling said.
Sterling said there will be more outreach done and information posted on the procession website in September. He said he wants to connect with the school districts to get them involved, and he wants more members of the public to have their voices heard in the planning process.
This story was originally published July 21, 2023 at 7:49 AM with the headline "Olympia’s Procession of the Species will return in 2024, but volunteers, space are needed."
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