If you’ve visited Wade Oval in recent weeks, you may have noticed the large white tent that took up residence next to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History in late April. This is the Cleveland Museum of Art’s parade workshop tent, an annual fixture that serves as a home base for guest artists, community groups, and families and individuals participating in Parade the Circle.

Every spring, Sawsan Alhaddad looks forward to the Cleveland Museum of Art's Parade the Circle. She has participated in the event for more than 20 years. She started to participate when her daughter Sarah was six years old and it’s been an annual tradition for them since. They only missed last year because of Sarah’s wedding.

"For us, it always meant that summer has started. The Parade was the first thing she did when school was out. She gained confidence by participating in the Parade each year. We have a lot of great memories."

By Robin VanLear Artistic Director of Community Arts I recently spent 10 days in New Orleans for Mardi Gras in hopes of inspiration and ideas to bring more music to Parade the Circle,the museum’s annual June event. New Orleans is known for its music. Cleveland is known for its music.