This Saturday is Houston’s one of a kind Art Car Parade featuring a mixture of quirky, beautiful, strangely decorated cars venturing across Allen Parkway and into downtown. So, if you’re a newbie to the city or just want to find out more about this very Houston parade, then let me fill you in.
How Did This Begin?
In 1984, a couple donated their 1967 Ford station wagon to The Orange Show Foundation for their annual Gala benefit’s auction. Houston artist Jackie Harris decided to completely remake the car using paint and plastic fruit, calling it “The Fruitmobile.” The same year, an exhibit at Lawndale Art Center called “Collision” featured two art cars. The buzz around art cars grew, resulting in the New Music Parade featuring 20 artist floats and art cars on Montrose Boulevard in 1986. Finally, the Art Car Parade became official in 1988, with around 2,000 people attending and 40 art cars on display.
What The Heck is an Art Car?
An art car is usually an older or used vehicle that a person remakes into a work of art, using a variety of materials. At last year’s festival, the winners ranged from a Traffic Safety Cone Monster to the Spacerider. Artists, community groups, schools, and professional organizations usually participate.
Where Can I See The Parade?
The parade is completely free and opens to the public at 11 a.m. The actual parade will run from 2 p.m until 4 p.m. but get there early to avoid the crowd. Expect to see more than 250 vehicles displayed and more than 200,000 people watching alongside you.
Where Should I Park?
- Find street parking in midtown or downtown and then walk to the route.
- If you want to watch from Allen Parkway, you can enter from Waugh Drive and other access points heading towards downtown.
- Finally, you can park downtown at Heritage Clay Parking Garage, which is right along the parade route.
- Here is the official route, so you can look for parking.
Did you know there’s an Art Bike parade?
