Under bright sunny skies, the Peterborough Children and the Arts Festival celebrated a triumphant return after a two-year, COVID-caused absence. The event provides opportunities for every student — from public, private, and homeschooled groups — to showcase their talents within the context of professional local artists who perform and share their craft.
This year’s theme was “Bugs, Bugs, Bugs” and featured bug illustrations created by ConVal High School students. Bug-themed face paintings and hands-on art opportunities were busy all day in different venues: Depot Square, Putnam Park, the Monadnock Center, the Unitarian Church, the Peterborough Town Library, the Town House, on Grove Street, and various other locations.
At noon, all eyes turned to the Giant Puppet Parade as it proceeded from Peterborough Elementary School to Putnam Park. The parade featured ConVal elementary school children who had created outfits, paper mache art, and banners that celebrated the theme of “Bugs, Bugs, Bugs.”
Since 1993, the Children and the Arts Festival has been held in Peterborough. It typically attracts 5,000 visitors to the town.