Procession of Appalachian Species

The 4th Annual Procession of Appalachian Species will be held on April 18th from 10AM to 2PM in Lineberry Park!

Giant puppet parade honors Appalachian biodiversity with 2026 theme: The Little River

FLOYD, VA — Springhouse is thrilled to announce the 4th Annual Procession of Appalachian Species, a giant puppet and costume parade celebrating the rich biodiversity of the Appalachian region. The event will be held on Saturday, April 18th, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Lineberry Park in Floyd, Virginia.

This beloved community tradition invites people of all ages to create and wear puppets or costumes representing their favorite Appalachian species, then parade together in joyful celebration of Earth Day and the natural world that surrounds us. Paraders are also needed to carry existing puppets – all are welcome — no experience necessary, just a love of nature and a spirit of creativity.

2026 Theme: The Little River

This year’s parade flows along the theme of The Little River. Participants are encouraged to bring to life the extraordinary creatures — plant, animal, fungal, and beyond — that inhabit and depend upon our regional waterways and surrounding landscapes. All Appalachian species are welcome in the procession.

Puppet Making Open Studios will be on Friday afternoons from 4:30-7PM. Dates: 3/27, 4/3, 4/10, 4/17. 110 Main St, behind Finn Graphics.

Date:  Saturday, April 18th, 2026

Time:  10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Location:  Lineberry Park, Floyd, Virginia

Cost:  Free and open to the public

Theme:  The Little River

Day-of Schedule

10:00 – 11:30 AM  Puppet Making & Preparation

11:30 AM – 12:15 PM  Parade Time

12:15 – 2:00 PM  Fellowship, Picnic (bring your own food), & Dance

“This event is an excellent opportunity for connecting with the community. It’s an exercise in the joy of creation, nature and art.” — Eli Fleetwood, puppet creator and participant

History of the Procession

The Procession of Appalachian Species grew out of a community dialogue about how to best bring giant puppets to Floyd. At its heart, this event is about connecting more deeply with each other through creativity and play — and more deeply with all the incredible creatures that make this region beautiful and resilient. Biodiversity is one of the greatest strengths of Appalachian ecosystems, and the Procession is a joyful reminder of the wild, wondrous community of life everyone is a part of.

“Each species relies on and is relied on by all the others. This dense and intricate web of life needs to be protected and all creatures play a part in its success. We are excited for this year’s event and hope many will be inspired to come out and celebrate biodiversity through this creative opportunity.”

— Ian Stabler, Procession Creator and Lead

Please contact Ian if you have any questions, and feel free to share our Facebook event far and wide!