No Socks, No Problem: LA Puppet Fest Kicks Off Across SoCal
SANTA MONICA (CBSLA.com) — The puppets are coming to the Southland - and not just the hand-in-sock variety.
KNX 1070's Claudia Peschiutta reports L.A. Puppet Fest is back for its second year of celebrating, sharing and promoting the art of puppetry through performances and workshops.
More than two dozen events are scheduled between April 1 – 13 from Santa Monica to Hollywood, including an April Fool's Puppet Ball, Live Band Puppet Karaoke, Sock Puppet Theater, a puppet film festival, and several puppetry workshops.
Organizers are also planning a Million Puppet Parade down Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, where participants are encouraged to bring a puppet, buy a puppet at the start of the parade route, or make their own at one of several free puppet-making tables.
Immediately following the parade, organizers say there will be an official closing ceremony, a raffle drawing for prizes and even a "puppet dance off."
"There is a big puppet scene; it's kind of an underground-ish scene," Puppet Fest Executive Director Roberto Ferreira said. "This is the first time we're gonna make big noise and people will know we are here."
While Puppet Fest event prices range from free to $25 per person and are open to families, some events may have age restrictions or be considered adult-only programs "because some puppets, they say things that are not proper for children," according to Ferreira.