First Light
Nothing brings the community together, quite literally, like a parade. Whether we celebrate our traditions with the Findlay Market Opening Day Parade or get a little weird at Bockfest, marcher and spectators together.
In the spirit, the organizers of BLINK®, illuminated by ArtsWave, are bringing the parade back to Cincinnati’s art, light and cultural event.
“I went to college in New Orleans and parade culture is obviously huge down there,” says Justin Brookhart, executive director of BLINK. “I think parades are best when they create an opportunity to celebrate what is unique about an event/city/culture.”
Accepted parade participants will be awarded funds up to $2,500. Entries must reflect on how light will be used to highlight and celebrate your/your group's unique attributes, symbols, or cultural traditions.
Categories of participation include
Requesting a Prefabricated Kit (Lanterns, Masks)
Host a Community Workshop (Wearables, Hats, Masks, etc.)
Floats, Kinetic Sculptures & Puppets
Performance (Dance, Choral, Theatrical)
Just Want to Walk
“Much like all the other elements of BLINK, the parade wouldn't be possible without incredible collaborators who bring their creative ideas and vision to life during the event,” says Brookhart. “That is why we are so excited to have the team at ish on board as our parade partner this year.”
ish, a Cincinnati-based arts and cultural organization centering Jewish cultural traditions as a platform for connecting artists with communities to create new experiences, is spearheading the organization of the parade. Marie Krulewitch-Browne, founding executive and artistic eirector, and Megan Rahill, director of programs and operations, worked on BLINK in both 2017 and 2019, including bringing the 2019 BLINK Parade to life.
“The parade is the way our communities can get involved and collaborate. Anyone can be an artist or designer through their entry, and this is the spirit of what BLINK means for our city and our region,” says Krulewitch-Browne. “In a time when there are so many things that can divide us, we want to focus on the Parade as a coming back together after the pandemic and a way of bridging those divides with joy and celebration.”
In addition to the parade, BLINK is also offering neighborhood activations. The Parade celebration will kick-off the month leading up to BLINK with a "torch passing" ceremony in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky neighborhoods
The parade will culminate at a special location (to be announced) for a finale performance and lighting ritual to formally kick off the BLINK weekend! Individuals and Groups will have the opportunity to indicate interest to participate in this closing event (limited spaces available).
“We want to bring the parade back in a way that is familiar to all the people that have loved the BLINK parade in years past, but add some new elements to keep it engaging and exciting,” says Brookhart. “We are planning a new route, are planning a culmination ceremony to end the parade with a figurative ‘bang’ and plan to have even more collaborators adding their ideas to the mix. It's the perfect way to kick off BLINK's four-day spectacle!”
BLINK Parade
Set for October 13, 2022, the theme of the parade is “Together: a constellation of shared cultures and unique identities; we illuminate joy through creative expression.”
Applications to participate are open at blinkcincinnati.com and will close Sept. 2, 2022 at 5 p.m.