Queen of the Puppets

UCONN, Storrs, CT  2015

Isn't she great!  People of all ages love puppets.  She was certainly the center of attention during the pageant and was having a great time.  You're never too old.

More Puppets

UCONN, Storrs, CT  2015

I don't I've ever seen so many puppets in once place.  The parade culminated with all the puppet animals marching around the town square.  I know there was a story being told and there really was method too all the apparent madness these pictures depict.  Everyone had a great time. 

Puppeteers

UCONN Storrs, CT  2015

I think if everyone in the world carried around a puppet, the world would be a much happier place.  I talked with a few of the attendees at the Puppet Festival, or should I say I talked to their puppets.  Needless to say it was a bit confusing, and in that confusion, I neglected to get any names or stories behind the puppets and puppeteers.  I need to do a much better job of getting a little more information when I venture into the area of actually making portraits.

Let the Parade Begin

UCONN, Storrs, CT  3015

Everyone standing around watching the puppets get organized for their big pageant was recruited to participate.  Who doesn't like walking in a parade?  Anyone who wanted to carry a puppet or a banner became part of the festivities.

Tall Puppets

UCONN, Storrs, CT  2015

There were some pretty tall puppets in the pageant, like these fellows here.  The temperatures that day were hovering around 90℉ so it must have been pretty hot wearing these puppets.  I found them standing in the shade before the start of puppet parade, trying to stay cool. 

Puppets

UCONN, Storrs, CT  2015

If you mention the University of Connecticut to anyone in this state and they immediately think of the  outstanding women's and men basketball programs.  But in addition to their athletic programs and academics, UCONN has a world renown program in the field of puppet arts. The university is the home to the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry. Recently the Puppet Arts Program hosted an international conference on puppet arts, which culminated with a pageant featuring some pretty fanciful puppets.  I never knew you could get a BA degree in puppetry.