Wednesday, April 23
Three days and counting until parade day. My husband and I were checking out the parade route and scoping out bike racks in Fountain Square. We decided to ride our bikes over to Garfield Park and discovered the Pleasant Run Trail. After perusing in the spring air for an hour, it was time to head back home. Still on the trail, I slowed down upon catching sight of an adorably plump, but unusually small statured horse being brushed on a front porch. I excitedly shouted something like, “Look at the little horse!” and sped past. My more patient husband stopped for a closer look before catching up with me. How often to you see something like that?

Thursday, April 24
Business as usual. The mini-horse was little more than a faint memory from the day before.

Friday, April 25
12:48 p.m. The news hits. A forwarded IndyStar.com news article from my husband: “Miniature Horse Missing.” The beloved family pet, named Cheesecake, had disappeared from its own backyard on East Pleasant Run Parkway South Drive. The article noted that Cheesecake was scheduled to be in the Fountain Square parade the following Saturday. I immediately made the connection. Our dear little horse had a name, a cause and was missing!

Later Friday afternoon
Time for action. On Procession t-shirts arrived for parade day volunteers at the IMA. Designed by Elasticbrand, they feature a blank white area on the front for one’s own artistic inclinations. Mine would soon read, “Missing Cheesecake” with an illustration of the white and brown, 100 pound miniature horse. Below the image was printed “Actual size.” (Thanks to graphic designers Kristi & Matthew for the inspiration.)

Saturday, April 26
Parade day! Donning my t-shirt as a walking billboard, with no word of Cheesecake’s fate, I solemnly walked the parade route handing out brochures. One end of the parade passed by, and I awaited the the remainder of the procession from the opposite direction. There near the end of the line, low-and-behold, was Cheesecake! I rushed into the street for an unexpected reunion with people I had never before met, but whom welcomed me at first sight of my “Missing Cheesecake” t-shirt. They were actually thrilled that someone knew their story. I followed the little guy to the end of the parade route and snapped a few photos in between all the attention he was receiving from other fans. Cheesecake’s owners retold the wee horse’s happy homecoming. Friday afternoon they found him in a yard about a mile away from their home gorging himself on grass. May Cheesecake live happily ever after.

In the words of Paul Harvey, “And now you know the rest of the story!”

On Procession FAQs

Is there a Web site where I can find more information about the parade and the exhibition? Sure is! Visit www.OnProcession.org to learn more.

Can I still be in the parade? How can I sign up on the day of the parade?
Yes! You can still be part of the parade. You can register your project on the morning of the parade between 10:00 and 11:30 am at either end of the parade route. Registration tents will be located near the intersection of Virginia Avenue & S. East Street (WEST end) and near the intersection of Virginia Avenue, Shelby Avenue & Prospect Street (EAST end). If you’re not sure whether you are EAST or WEST, click here for more information.

I want to be a spectator on parade day. What are the vantage points?
The parade route will run the one-mile stretch of Virginia Avenue between the Anthem Building (located at the intersection of Shelby St., East St., and Virginia Ave.) and the Fountain (located at the intersection of Virginia Ave. and Prospect St.). Anywhere along the parade route will be traffic-proofed and ready for spectators! Click here to see the map.

Where should I park?

While there is no designated parking for this event, the following is a list of free public parking that will be available on parade day:
*SEND public parking lot at intersection of Woodlawn Avenue & Shelby Street
*Fountain Square Center Parking Lot, 901 S Shelby Street
*White Castle Parking Lot, 921 Virginia Avenue (corner of Virginia Ave. & Leonard St.). Please enter off of Leonard St.
* Teamsters Union lot, 1233 Shelby Street

Can I bring my children? What about my pets?
Yes! All are welcome to come and watch the parade. However, no animals are allowed in the parade itself. For those who plan to march in the parade, please note that the parade route is approximately 1 mile long, so be sure everyone can cover the distance and wear comfy shoes!

What if it rains or the weather is poor?

The parade is rain or shine! Click here for the weather forecast.

What do I do after the parade is finished?
The party continues! Shuttles will be taking paraders and spectators to the IMA for the On Procession party and exhibition preview. The celebration will take place on the Sutphin Mall from 3:00-7:00 pm. (Tickets are Free for members, $5 for students & parade participants, and $10 for the public and can be purchased online by clicking here.) Surrounded by featured works from the parade, you are invited to enjoy refreshments, karaoke and a special sneak peek of On Procession in the Forefront Galleries. Shuttles will pick up at SEND public parking lot at intersection of Woodlawn Avenue & Shelby Street in Fountain Square and take you to the IMA (or vice versa) approximately every 25 minutes.