Peoplehood

From 50th Street and through West Philly, Spiral Q's puppet pageant from the neighborhoods, Peoplehood, makes its annual pilgrimage this weekend. Regular paraders know to expect something new every time; this year, somewhere amid the crowds will be Tracy Broyles, Spiral Q's executive director who took over from Mattyboy Hart in June. Broyles pays tribute to this year's participants and organizers, especially Fran Aulston of the Paul Robeson House and the West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, and the community of 50th Street. "They have been a part of this parade for years now, and their participation has been and will continue to be absolutely essential to its success," Broyles says. Groups who've toiled for the past four months to build their own giant puppets, masks and banners include Neighborhood Bike Works, the Young Voters Alliance, Girard Medical Center, West Philadelphia Community Center, the South Philadelphia Athletic League, plus many, many more. Local schools will also be in attendance, such as Abington Friends School, and the Shaw Elementary and University City High schools, which will collaborate with the Urban Nutrition Initiative. With so many enthusiastic and experienced participants, Broyles has reason to be excited about her first Peoplehood. "Everyone's willingness -- no, eagerness, to share their stories [and] creations with one another in this public forum is moving," she says. "I can't wait to see it come together."

Peoplehood, Sat., Oct. 23, 1 p.m., free, parade starts at the Paul Robeson House, 4951 Walnut St., and continues to Clark Park, 43rd St. and Chester Ave., 215-222-6979, www.spiralq.org.

-- Respond to this article in our Forums -- click to jump there