FOLSOM — Folsom residents and artists will get an early taste of Mardi Gras spirit this weekend when the first Rare Bear decorating party connected to California’s biggest Mardi Gras celebration takes place locally, organizers announced. The community event will be held Saturday, Feb. 7, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Swoon Studio + Co, and invites families, crafters and volunteers to help decorate one-of-a-kind “Rare Bears” that will be given away as prizes during the upcoming City of Trees Parade and Mardi Gras Festival in downtown Sacramento on Feb. 28. Swoon Studio is located in Historic Folsom at 705 Gold Lake Dr #380.
The Rare Bear parties are part of a series of creative community gatherings aimed at preparing for the annual City of Trees Parade & Mardi Gras Festival, a free-to-watch celebration that brings thousands of people together in the heart of Sacramento each spring. Dozens of local artists and volunteers will spend the afternoon transforming blank, handmade bears into colorful, personality-filled keepsakes using recycled fabric scraps, upcycled textiles, ribbons, paint and found objects.
Only 100 bears will be completed and given away during the festival’s parade and festivities. Organizers say the bears celebrate creativity and sustainability, reflecting the parade’s focus on community expression. Blank bears were handcrafted by local upcycling artist Rhiannon Lykken of Upcycled Dragon and await custom decoration this weekend and again at a second party scheduled Feb. 9 in Sacramento.
“Our Mardi Gras parade cares about the environment,” parade founder Wes Samms said. “Parades elsewhere can create a lot of waste with plastic beads and manufactured toys. Our parade uses recycled beads and prizes made by our community just for this event.” The City of Trees Parade is produced by a Sacramento-based nonprofit that champions diverse creative projects and cultural celebrations like this one.
The main parade and festival take place Feb. 28 along Capitol Mall and into Old Sacramento, with festival grounds opening in the afternoon and showcasing live performances, interactive exhibits, food trucks and local vendors. The parade’s route runs down Capitol Mall beginning in the late afternoon before culminating in a free evening electric light dance party featuring illuminated floats, LED fire spinners, marching bands, dancers and more. Past editions of the parade have included hundreds of performers from dozens of community groups, and this year’s event is expected to be even larger.
Organizers encourage visitors to bring blankets or lawn chairs to watch the procession or join in the festive atmosphere along the route. The festival grounds on Capitol Mall will remain open into the evening with dancing, music and the chance to see the custom art cars up close. Parade participants and spectators alike are invited to celebrate the community’s creative spirit in a family-friendly environment.
A second Rare Bear decorating party will be held Monday, Feb. 9, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Dwellpoint, 530 Q St. in Sacramento. Media are invited to attend both events to capture the preparations leading up to the parade’s Feb. 28 return.
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