The Great Takoma Park Octopus Parade!

After living on top of the downtown Takoma Park clock tower for six months, a 17-foot-tall crocheted octopus will move to its new home at the Takoma Children’s School in a parade on April 23 at 10:30 am.

The City of Takoma Park commissioned fiber artist Stacy Cantrell who crocheted the colorful cephalopod named Oct O’Clock. The octopus survived rain, snow, and winds so the City held the Octo-Gone contest where contestants submitted an essay or video describing why they wanted the octopus.

The Takoma Children’s School submitted a fun video featuring preschoolers talking excitedly about why the octopus should move to their playground. After some spirited debate, they decided it will live on top of the playground shed and its new name is Octoshedopus.

The public and media are invited to join the great Octoshedopus parade at 10:30 am on Tuesday, April 23 at the clock tower at the corner of Laurel Avenue and Carroll Avenue, followed by a short two-block walk to Takoma Children’s School.

For media requests or more info, contact Arts Coordinator Brendan Smith at brendans@takomaparkmd.gov or (301) 891-7266.