This summer, Oskaloosa’s town square will burst into life with towering puppets, handmade costumes, and joyful music as the Uplifting Puppet Parade makes its grand debut on Saturday, June 14th at 2:00 p.m., during the beloved Art on the Square festival.
Organized by the Uplifting Puppet Company in partnership with Oskaloosa Main Street, this one-of-a-kind event celebrates community, creativity, and togetherness through the whimsical magic of large-scale puppetry. The 2025 parade theme, “Fins and Feathers,” invites everyone to create a puppet, costume, or banner inspired by the colorful worlds of fish and birds.
“This isn’t just a parade—it’s a creative movement,” says Brant Bollman, Director of Theatre Arts at William Penn University and Creative Director of the Uplifting Puppet Company. “We’re building more than puppets. We’re building bridges between people, generations, and ideas. Art has the power to uplift, and this parade is a joyful expression of that belief.”
Bollman is collaborating with Piper Smith, a Minneapolis-based puppet maker and performer renowned for her work with Barebones, an acclaimed outdoor performance company. Together, they are crafting two massive centerpiece puppets—a giant fish and a giant bird—that will soar above the parade.
The festivities will kick off at 2:00 p.m. on June 14th, promising an explosion of creativity and community spirit right in the heart of Art on the Square.
Get Involved! Leading up to the parade, several community engagement events are planned:
- Artist Reception & Meet and Greet: Meet Brant Bollman, Piper Smith, and fellow artists on May 29th from 6:00–9:00 p.m. at the Oskaloosa Art Center.
- George Daily Youth Theatre Puppet Camp: Kids can dive into puppet-making fun from June 2nd–6th with a special camp focused on large-scale puppetry.
- Additional Puppet-Making Workshops: Open to all ages—stay tuned for dates and details!
- Day-of Projects at Art on the Square: Feeling spontaneous? Join us on June 14th for last-minute opportunities to craft your own feathered or finned creation and jump into the parade!
Join us in bringing a splash of wonder and a flight of imagination to Oskaloosa this summer. Everyone is welcome—no experience necessary, just creativity and community spirit!
