| Events - Parade |
 The Champlain 400 Parade (“From First Encounter…to the Future”) is a unique art event. A moving performance by 35 choreographers and hundreds of dancers, it also includes music, giant puppets, and street theater groups from Vermont, Québec, and the northeast region. Each piece of choreography is a personal statement in dance, and seen as a whole, the parade takes viewers on a journey through time and space. It begins with the land and its people, before the arrival of Champlain, the French explorer. Led by Native Americans, the parade includes historical dance forms, and choreographers who have created original dances on the themes of first encounters, crossing borders, meeting “the other” and cultural appropriation. In the last part of the parade, we look to the future, to contemporary forms such as hip-hop and dances of diversity, representing the many cultures that are now part of our melting-pot society More than 75 groups will parade and dance!The parade also features live music groups, choirs, clowns, alternative energy vehicles, antique French autos, local community organizations, several sections of Bread & Puppet Theater, and also the Abenaki Nation, historical re-enactors, and music representing traditions from Japan, Brazil, Québec, Africa, and the Caribbean. Plus several guest companies from across our northern border will add that special Québecois joie de vivre, with original street theater, stilt walking, percussion and more!  End Time: When it’s done (about 2 hours!)Start Line: Union Street Finish Line: South Champlain Street The Route: The parade will dance its way down Main Street with stops along the way AND a Grand Finale! Grande Finale: Starts in front of One Main (Union Station) after the last parade group crosses South Champlain Street. The finale will begin within moments of the parade finish. Located at One Main (Union Station), the parade’s grande finale — featuring Burlington Taiko and Grammy-winning Iroguois singer Joanne Shenandoah — begins moments after the last parade group crosses South Champlain Street. Best Parade Viewing: Sidewalks along Main Street from Union Street to Champlain Street—then follow Bread & Puppet down to the finale! Parade Program: See www.celebratechamplain.org for a downloadable, complete list of all the parade groups. Safety Notes: Please stay out of Main Street! Bring sun protection and water. Have fun, and enjoy the spectacle. Traffic and Parking: Expect delays and detours, and arrive early. Car pool, park and walk, and look for Park & Ride shuttles. Please do not park in zones designated for the parade or parade groups. Avoid towing! Post-Parade Performances:July 11th, from 8:30 - 9:30pm
 After the Champlain 400 Parade, there are lots of cool things to do and see. On stages around town—two on Church Street, two in City Hall Park and other locations —artists will perform FREE shows for the public. Come check out:JUNK MUSIC with The Junkman —Join a Junk Jam on recycled percussion! Mango Jam —New Orleans funk and blues Jeh Kulu Drum and Dance Theater —West African music and dance Seth Warner Mount Independence Fife & Drum Corps —Enjoy Revolutionary-War-era music, dramatic readings, and more The Burlington Taiko Group —Japanese festival drumming, right after the parade on the Finale Stage
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