PARADE MAP
Celebrate Autumn Equinox 2025, the first day of fall! New London is building a larger than life puppet parade! All ages and abilities are welcome to join the fun!
For more information email: hello@littletheatreauditorium.org
or read below to find out how you can participate.
Donate
Public Puppet Parade Workshops
at LTA!
Paint, sew, glue, staple, build!
Location: Little Theatre Auditorium
Led by LTA Director Bethany Lacktorin and HoBT puppet artists, Steve Ackerman.
ATTEND! September 20 1pm PARADE
Come watch our stories come alive with life-size puppets & music parading thru New London.
2pm The Autumn Equinox Puppet Parade Finale - Water Ballet at Neer Park! Get a seat on the bleachers and witness the the autumn equinox.
3pm Performance!
The Roe Family Singers
LTA Youth Art Camp Kids presents! a magical theatrical performance directed by Little Stories co-creators Nick Shadowick and John Szczur!
Enjoy Face painting by Maria Novak,
Celebrate the harvest season with NL Food Coop food & LTA + Spurs beverages!
Check our local art vendors and take a photo with your favorite parade puppet! and more!
Tuesday, July 29 5:30-7:30PM Info + Idea Jam & snacks -
Share your hopes & dreams for New London's future! These stories become sections of the puppet parade!
Tuesday, Aug 26 5:30-7:30PM Story share & snacks.
The 2025 Parade section reveal and signup!
Sa Sep 6, 11am-1pm + 2pm-5pm Puppet Build Workshop
Su Sep 7, 11-3pm Puppet Build Workshop
Tu-Fr Sep 9-12, 11am-7pm Puppet Build Workshop
Sa Sep 13 11am-1pm + 2pm-5pm Puppet Build Workshop
Su Sep 14, 11-3pm Puppet Build Workshop
Tu-Th Sep 15-18, 11am-7pm Puppet Build Workshop
Fr Sep 19
11am-7pm Puppet & Mask Build, Fitting + lineup assignment
Sa Sep 20 PARADE DAY!
11am FINAL FITTING & LINEUP • 1pm PARADE BEGINS! • 2pm NEER PARK WATER BALLET • 3pm LIVE MUSIC, THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE!
WHAT IS THE AUTUMN EQUINOX?
The autumn equinox, when the sun sits directly above the equator, halfway between the summer and winter solstice, we celebrate our season's work, give thanks for a bountiful harvest and prepare for the future together. Read more from the Farmer's Almanac.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY MADE AUTUMN EQUINOX PUPPET PARADE
This event is brought to you by Little Theatre Auditorium with support from the City of New London, Southwest Minnesota Arts Council, Minnesota State Arts Board, Blandin Foundation, Mardag Foundation, Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation & the McKnight Foundation. Collaborators and participants Steve Ackerman (Heart of the Beast Puppet & Mask Theatre), Crow River Ski Team, PWELC, Novak Creative LLC, Purpose Artisans, Ballet Folklorico de Willmar & more!
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council and the Minnesota State Arts Board thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
