Mashapaug Pond Event  -  Saturday, June 7th, 2008   8:30am  ( - Great Visuals - )

Kids cross cultural, ethnic & religious boundaries to warn neighbors

(Providence, RI)  Kids from diverse cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds will join in a colorful procession starting at the Budhist Temple and ending at Mashapaug Pond behind Job Lot to warn their neighbors about the health hazards of Mashapaug Pond this Saturday, June 7th starting at 8:30am.

The procession of over 30 children in fish customes and/or carrying signs in brightly colored garb will be joined by Big Nazo puppets and even a marching band.

The event is to create awareness and understanding by all residents of the multi-ethnic urban neighborhood about the health hazards of swimming, fishing or boating at Mashapaug Pond.  New warning signs are to be posted in conjunction with this event.  Unsafe levels of PCB's and Dioxins make it an especially dangerous place to swim or eat the fish there.

The procession steps off at 8:30am at Wat Thorikaram Buddhist Temple, 177 Hanover Street, Providence, and is expected to reach Charles Fortes Elementary School by 9:30.  From there they will proceed to the Adelaide High School by 10:30 where they are joined by Big Nazo Puppets, then on to the boathouse behind Job Lot on Reservoir Avenue for music, food and fun.

Among the speakers will be Chief Wilfred Greene of the Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe who will provide remembrances for a moment or two of the significance of the pond and its history as a family gathering spot for the neighborhood in the 1940's.

The event was organized by Providence artist Holly Ewald, and supported by 3 state agencies, the Department of Health, Department of Environmental Management and the Rhode Island State Council of the Arts.

The procession Route Map is in a link below.
RAIN DATE:  Sunday, June 8th, 2008