The Phoenix Annual Parade of the Arts (PAPA) is a festival celebrating the uniqueness and creativity which thrives in the greater Phoenix community. Everyone is welcome to enjoy a variety of live music, street performances, visual arts, and more including the evening’s highlight, the public procession of the Parade of the Arts. PAPA encourages members of the community to scratch their creative itch by marching together and building unique floats and costumes that represent themselves, their family or their business. Also, being sensitive to the intricate threads of culture woven into the fabric of our community, PAPA caters to all age groups with family appropriate content and features multiple activities for children of all ages. PAPA is proudly presented by the Office of the Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and the Downtown Phoenix Partnership.

To celebrate its third year, PAPA is being held on the evening of November 1, 2008, and located at 5th Street between Roosevelt  and Garfield.

 Entertainment begins at 4pm with main stage performances by local musicians Mosey Horse, Sonorous, Fuscio Taiko, special guests include Axe Capoeira, The Taylor Circus Stars,and magic acts and street performances by buskers, clowns, and other acts. Children’s attractions will include face painting, inflatable jumpers, and balloon art. Also, parade registration, parade costume and float competitions will be judged at this time.

At 7pm, everyone is encouraged to line up for the open-to-the-public Parade procession. Every community member is invited to walk, ride, dance, or crawl along in the parade. Attendees not interested in parading are welcome to line the streets and cheer the procession as it moves through Down Town Phoenix.  Following the parade, there will be a main stage performance as PAPA’s headlining act Grupo Liberdade. The evening’s grand finale will highlight the parade competition winners.