Family Firebird Wand Making Workshop

Local Artist Victoria O’Neill will be conducting a drop-in workshop for children and adults to make their own flying firebird wands on various sized sticks to carry in the 2011 Firebird Festival Parade. Festival planners are envisioning at least 100 birds for the parade.

The workshop is taking place on Saturday, November 12th at Gruber Hall in St. John’s United Church of Christ located at 315 Gay Street in Phoenixville from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. All materials will be provided. There is a suggested, but not mandatory donation of $5 per bird.

It takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes to make a bird, which will go home with its maker. Then everyone will bring their birds to the Festival Parade on the eve of Saturday December 10th.

Plans are in place for a larger, longer, and more organized parade than in previous years. A flame captured from the Soltane Bakery oven will be ceremoniously carried by torch, accompanied by drummers, musicians, large puppets and more, all along Bridge Street and down to the bird site.

Flying bird makers will gather with their birds, into a flock, at The Children’s Plaza on Bridge Street, and fly into the parade as it passes by on its way to the lighting of the bird. Exact time of the gathering will be posted online as the time draws near. For more information call Victoria O’Neill at 610-644-8088 or email artistvo@Artypantz.com. Visit www.firebirdfestival.com for more information, details, and updates.