PAPIO PARADE GETS MOVING

kinetic events, offering their own variation of these floats-with-moving-parts parades.

When kicking off its own parade in 2016, the Key West Art & Historical Society took the region’s laid-back attitude and eco-friendliness into account, eliminating the “race” component and adding the element of “art bikes” for the town known for its pedaling revelers. Arising from a long-percolating idea, the project won the support of a prestigious Knight Arts Challenge grant, along with additional support from the Helmerich Trust, the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys and the Monroe County Tourist Development Council.

The family-friendly Papio Kinetic Sculpture & Art Bike Parade returns on Earth Day, Saturday April 22. Visit papiokineticparade.com KEY WEST ART & HISTORICAL SOCIETY/Contributed

In years past, Papio Parade spectators have been treated to the sight of inspired, entirely human-powered works of art, including a supersized narwhal that winked at onlookers, a pelican whose wings flapped as it towed parasailing minnows, an eagle ray powered by three bicycling men dressed as remoras, a race car with an engine made of discarded plumbing parts, and a 30-foot-long iguana fashioned from scrap cardboard spines. With 2023 creations underway by several “Papio Ambassador” artist teams and several school registrants supported by scholarships, this year’s parade promises to offer another visual feast for the eyes.

A number of local schools have constructed art bikes for the parade, including May Sands Montessori, Grace Lutheran, Key West Art & Historical Society’s ArtCamp! and the Montessori Children’s School.

More information is at papiokineticparade.com.