The Legend of

the menagerie of the imaginary

When the long cold nights of winter have dragged on quite long enough, the Menagerie of the Imaginary departs the land of make believe for one enchanting weekend. They visit us to light up the dark, to warm our hearts, and to remind us of the daydreams and dear ones dwelling within each of us. You never know what might show up in this enchanting cavalcade of creatures from three magical realms: Sky, Water and Earth. From the Air realm come glimmering moon owls soaring in starlit skies with other airborne creatures. From the Water Realm come fantastical fish, jellyfish, and unknown swimmers from the depths of far-off oceans. All sorts of captivating creatures and fantastical flora from far flung fields of fancy all make their way to this luminous parade. Gather round, soak up their radiant glow, and carry away some light and hope to pass along to others.

Learn more about the large lantern puppets leading the parade. 

LAND REALM

Amelia the Curly Tailed Bird Horse

Amazing Amelia spends her days bumbling about seeking food, fun, and friends. She adores tasty snack snakes caught with mighty thwaps of her powerful tail, and crafts delectable concoctions juiced from cloud berries which she shares with her many pals. If you listen very carefully as you nod off to sleep, you might hear the distant snort-caws of Amelia saying goodnight to her friends. You might also hear the tinkle of her footfalls as she heads to bed in her cozy cave to dream of exotic earthlings and prancing ponies.

Inspired by a child’s drawing, Amelia was created in a workshop in 2025, led by Andrew Kim. Participating artists were: Steve Allison-Bunnell, Matt Cameron, Thomas Dunning, Emmi Kat Johnson, Rachel Ingle, Jade Lowder, Tory Moeckel, Jakob Niedziela, Sarah Smith, Kelsi & Nora Tjernagel, and Lu Willis

WATER REALM

Echo the Tassel Finned Dragoon

Effervescent Echo is adept at camouflage and concealment, which helps them evade fierce predators like the beak-nosed hornswoggle. Disguised as flotsam and jetsam, Echo snoozes the day away in the warm, shallow waters off the coast of Honah Lee Island. As night falls, their phosphorescent scales glow and their long antennae sway as they begin to hunt for jelly eels and smardines. Tassel Finned Dragoons have often been mistaken for dolphins as they leap and dive, echo-locating with a high, burbling bup-bup-bup. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse Echo in your daydreams.

Inspired by a child’s drawing, Echo was created in a workshop in 2025, led by Andrew Kim. Participating artists were: Steve Allison-Bunnell, Matt Cameron, Thomas Dunning, Emmi Kat Johnson, Rachel Ingle, Jade Lowder, Tory Moeckel, Jakob Niedziela, Sarah Smith, Kelsi & Nora Tjernagel, and Lu Willis

AIR REALM

Phantastical Phoenix

The newest member of the Menagerie of the Imaginary, the phoenix is still a work in, so check back for their name and legend!



Echo is being created and puppeteered by a group of local artists. Participants are: Steve Allison-Bunnell, Matt Cameron, Thomas Dunning, Rachel Ingle, Emmi Kat Johnson, Jade Lowder, Tory Moeckel, and Kelsi Tjernagel