TRASH PARADE
2026 Date TBA
Theme: Pollinators
The second annual Trash Parade is a creative community event aimed at repurposing recyclable materials and other waste products into puppets, costumes, masks, and banners to march in a procession in downtown Schenectady.
This is a community effort and is open to all to create and march!
We had an incredible inaugural Trash Parade! There was so much creativity, and a great turn out of folks who understand the importance of creating a resource out of what would have been considered "waste".
PHOTOS FROM THE 2025 TRASH PARADE:
Photos by Brendan Ford
Purpose:
Raise awareness of repurposing waste materials, reusing what we already have before producing new goods. Raise awareness of the effects of single use plastics on our environment.The theme of “pollinators” was chosen to highlight the importance of native biodiversity in our local ecosystems. Increasing environmental literacy while having fun!
Here are some examples from other events like this.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Lf7Y2hEthbGKLoi8Jyd0gq1wKwbgdIT2?usp=drive_link
Some imagery that could be used with the theme of "POLLINATORS":
-Animals and insects: bees, bats, birds, beetles, butterflies, moths, flies, small mammals, and many more.
-Flowers that provide pollen
-invasive species
-Trees, fruit, food
-plastic and other garbage focusing on the "trash" element
-much more
Great puppet making resource guide: HERE
The Trash Parade will start at J Square in Downtown Schenectady, 100 Jay St. (Across from City Hall)
