Downtown Ann Arbor Set to Host FoolMoon, FestiFools Events
Downtown Ann Arbor is about to be taken over by larger-than-life papier mâché creations of giant puppets for the community’s FoolMoon and FestiFools events. FestiFools founder Mark Tucker, a University…
Downtown Ann Arbor is about to be taken over by larger-than-life papier mâché creations of giant puppets for the community's FoolMoon and FestiFools events.
FestiFools founder Mark Tucker, a University of Michigan professor, told WEMU's John Stockwell that he has been organizing this event for the last two decades. His work with U-M students has put him in contact with young, creative minds for each year's creations.
"Fortunately, I teach students who come from all parts of the university, so they're non-art majors," he said. "They come already equipped with ideas and passions of their own. And we do have a theme every year, and this year, it's RevFOOLution. And so, we kind of just jump off of the theme and then try to find ways that that intersects with ideas they already have about themselves, the world, politics, [and] humor."
FestiFools isn't the only big event taking place. The celebration is preceded by FoolMoon, "basically a nighttime version of FestiFools, except that it's primarily community-built," Tucker explained. "People have been coming to our workshops all month long to create these luminous wire and tissue paper sculptures. We call them luminaries."
During FoolMoon, individuals carry luminaries into the streets of downtown Ann Arbor as they light up the night.
Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor said the FestiFools and FoolMoon events show off Ann Arbor's quirky side. Destination Ann Arbor's Chad Wiebesick, director of media relations, added that the two events also promote visitation to the region.
"Festivals attract thousands of attendees, and some of them are also out-of-town visitors, so not only does that contribute to Ann Arbor's thriving tourism economy, but they're also, the visitors are here, they're also shopping and dining and experiencing just all the wonderful attractions," he said.
The FoolMoon celebration across Ann Arbor runs from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, April 4. FestiFools takes place from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 6, on Main Street.
