The Procession is Coming!!!

You are invited to join us for a Procession of the Species. The first Procession on the Olympic Peninsula will be held in conjunction with StreamFest 2009 on August 30th at 5:00 pm. This 10^th annual StreamFest is a free, family-friendly event held at Ennis Arbor Farm in Port Angeles. StreamFest, a community fundraising event for the North Olympic Land Trust, offers highlights such as a critter pond, music, storytelling, guided stream walks, a silent auction, educational booths, as well as a local farm and restaurant smorgasbord.

What is the Procession?

The Procession of the Species is an all inclusive celebration of the natural world. It is a parade of humans connecting with our fellow animal species through art and costume to express a common joy and appreciation for the natural environment we all inhabit. Originating in Olympia, Washington over a decade ago (www.procession.org), this creative and delightful event is staged all over the world.

How can I join the Fun?

Come join us at StreamFest during one of the Processions being held each day. We begin at 5:30 pm on Saturday and 3:30 pm on Sunday. Come dressed as your favorite species and parade with us around the farm. Go here for a few crafty ideas about how you can transform yourself into another creature that shares the Peninsula as home with us. You can make your mask or costume with your friends or family before the event, or come early and make a mask at our Procession of the Species Art Booth in the meadow.

For more information about this Procession of the Species, please contact Mattias Järvegren and Meggan Uecker (famm.ju@gmail.com).

Read the lyrics for 20 Million Reasons, the song written by local musician Dan Leiberman for the Procession

For more information about StreamFest, visit North Olympic Land Trust's StreamFest webpage.

Get in touch with your inner species and come join the menagerie!

Mask Ideas

Here are some pages of mask making ideas. Gather with your favorite group and exchange ideas for inspiration. Envision with recycled items: old fabric, used magazines for color on masks, and other found objects. Get in touch with your inner species and creative spark!

20 Million Reasons - Music and Sing-along by Dan Lieberman

We will sing this at the Procession. You can even write your own verse, based on the raven'verse, by filling in between the parentheses. We'd be delighted to have you sing with us that day, email us at famm.ju@gmail.com or bring your verse that day.

CHORUS:

Of 20 million species on this planet we are one

Working to survive another trip around the sun

That’s 20 million reasons to appreciate

So join in the procession and let’s celebrate . . . life

Verse:

Focus on the _(Olympic Peninsula species)_ now

Here she/he is in all her/his glory

Step up _(Olympic Peninsula species)_ and take a bow

And tell us please, what is your story?

_(Geographic location/Ecosystem where species is found) is where I roam

In _(Shelter or habitat of an individual)_ I make my home

_(Food/nourishment for this species)_ keep(s) me alive

I use my _(a special adaptation of this species) to survive

Focus on the Raven now

Here he is in all his glory

Step up Raven and take a bow

And tell us please, what is your story?

The Olympic forest is where I roam

In trees or cliffs I make my home

Tasty carrion keeps me alive

I use my hippocampus to survive

CHORUS

Focus on Charles Darwin now,

Famous scientist from the 19^th Century

Step up Charles and take a bow

And share how all these species came to be?

The Jesus Lizard knows it wasn’t divine creation

A Giraffe’s neck stretches over many generations

Any momma knows there’s no immaculate conception

The true magic exists in natural selection

CHORUS

Focus on Human Beings now

Here we are in all our glory

Step up People and take a bow

And share with all, what is our story?

Cities and the country are where we roam

In houses or apartments we make our homes

Animals and plants keep us alive

We use our minds and reason to survive

CHORUS x2