Community Members Building Giant Puppets to March in Parade
CHARLTON — This spring, neighbors, families, artists, and first-time makers are gathering at Main Street Studio to build a cast of giant parade puppets celebrating the history and spirit of Harmony Corners, a historic hamlet in the northeastern corner of Charlton.
The puppets—which include four large square-dancing backpack figures, a fiddle player, giant strawberries, and a two-person cardboard buffalo—will march in the 2026 Charlton Founders’ Day Parade on Sunday, June 7.
The project is organized by Main Street Studio, a member-supported community craft studio located at 786 Charlton Road in Charlton, right on the parade route.
Unlike floats built behind closed doors, every puppet and prop in Main Street Studio’s procession is constructed by volunteers in open-community build sessions. Participants need no prior experience, just a willingness to cut, glue, sew, or paint alongside their neighbors.
“Whether you have two hours or the whole spring, there’s a place for you in this project,” said Jason Nemec, co-founder of Main Street Studio. “We’ve had kids, grandparents, experienced artists, and total beginners, all working side by side. That’s what makes it special.”
The build sessions are led by local artists Matt Paul, Maria DeAngelo, and Renee Johnson, who are guiding volunteers through papier-mâché sculpting, foam construction, fabric printing, and costume making. The puppets are constructed from recycled materials like newspaper, cardboard and foam, PVC pipe, fabric, and paper-mâché.
The parade entry’s centerpiece—a two-person cardboard buffalo—is a nod to one of Harmony Corners’ most cherished stories.
When the Harmony Corners Volunteer Fire Department purchased a 1929 Buffalo fire truck, completely overhauled it, and entered firematic competitions, that small farming community went on to win first place at the Central New York State Firematic Drill Team Association championship. The buffalo has been painted on Harmony Corners fire trucks ever since. This year, the department celebrates its 100th anniversary.
“How many people drive past the Harmony Corners firehouse and wonder why there’s a buffalo on the truck?” asked Nemec. “Creating these puppets is our way of making sure those stories don’t get lost.”
Remaining community build sessions are free and open to all ages; no experience needed. Saturday sessions continue on May 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and on May 30 from 2 to 4 p.m. A Tuesday evening costume-making session with Renee Johnson is scheduled for May 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. All sessions are held at Main Street Studio at 786 Charlton Road.