The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com

Monday, April 7, 2014 - 7A

FESTIFOOLS
From Page 1A
foot traffic, while students take
part in a challenging, engaging
form of self-expression.
"Because I've been with my stu-
dents for the last couple of months,
I'm really looking forward to how
my students respond to this expe-
rience," Tucker said. "Obviously
we aren't trying to make profes-
sional puppet makers, but I'm
excited to see how this experience
meshes with their career goals."
Students participated in bring-
ing their creations to life and also
came to support friends and enjoy
the festival. The beautiful, intri-
cate and sometimes frightening

puppets seemed to capture the
spirit of Ann Arbor, according to
students.
LSA freshman Florence Rivkin
came to support the participants
and said it's an event she looks for-
ward to each year.
"It's very interesting. I think it's
a little scary, but it reminds me of
the movie Across the Universe,"
she said. "They are very impres-
sive, and they seem to be bringing
a lot of joy to all of the little kids
here today. It is very unique to Ann
Arbor - avery Ann Arbor thing to
do"
Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje,
who attended the event, and Uni-
versity President Mary Sue Cole-
man were two of the inspirations
for the giant look-alike puppets.
Though the festival has become

a widely anticipated Ann Arbor
staple, this was the first year the
University's School of Art and
Design chose not to participate.
Tucker said he believes their
absence only creates an opportu-
nity for new creations and ideas
to flourish, as both students and
members of the community can
participate in the creation and uti-
lization of the puppets.
"I think we are lucky we live in
a town that has such a strong con-
nection to the University," Tucker
said. "It is interesting and reward-
ing to figure out that they live in
this huge, broader community. I
think FestiFools is one of the many
artistic offerings in this town and I
think it is unique to this campus -
it doesn't happen anywhere else in
the country."

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