A summer of creation, self discovery, and community culminated in the presentation of The Delhi Park Pageant Saturday night.

A cast of 40, including a group of children who worked with choreographer Allison Nichol, wove together art, music and live performance to create a stunning, immersive celebration of Delhi Park’s past, present and future on stage. The performance was written and directed by Krista Dalby, who worked with Erica Gray, of the Mohawk Wolf Clan from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, to bring a Kanyen’kehá:ka perspective to the script. Original music by Annelise Noronha and Lisa Bozikovic, and The ABC Choir, led by Sam Hirst, played an integral role. 

“The real joy has been to see all the pieces come together: the masks, puppets and costumes, the performers young and old, the music and the dancing,” said Ms. Dalby. “None of the cast had any idea of what they were getting into when they agreed to be part of this, and I’m so grateful for these adventurous spirits who said yes!”

Over their 12-week residency in Delhi Park, 675 people participated in the Department’s programs, and logged well over 100 volunteer hours.

Almost the entire pageant was built in Delhi. Native park animals such as frogs, raccoons and enormous squirrels were sculpted, covered in papier mache, and painted in the great outdoors. Thanks to the trailer’s solar power, costumes were sewn, glue guns wielded, and bands and DJs amplified at this summer’s weekly community picnics.

“Our most successful programs were those involving community partners,” says Dalby. “We hosted Pride in the Park with Greater Than County Youth Collective, Monarch Day with South Shore Joint Initiative, and a mushroom appreciation day with Feral Folc. But some of my favourite moments were quieter: spending time with naturalists and biologists, learning to see the park with different eyes.”

Like the day spent with Aquatic Ecologist Les Stanfield, taking water samples from the creek and painstakingly identifying and counting aquatic insects, or getting to know plant species with botanist Sheila Kuja, or simply having a music meeting while a heron squawked in the background. 

“It’s been a truly immersive experience creating this pageant in the park,” said Ms. Dalby, “and with all my newfound knowledge I feel like I could write a whole second show! I’ve really fallen in love with this place.”