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Spring Celebration Blog

01/29/2025  |  BY rfw

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Riverfront’s Spring Celebration is returning to Promenade Park on March 22^nd, 2025 with a twist! This year, Riverfront is highlighting spring celebrations from four different countries from around the world including Bulgaria, Germany, Iran, and Thailand! Join us from 11am-3pm for an afternoon filled with learning and fun-filled family activities. Below, we have provided an in-depth look at the four spring-time celebrations and what attendees can expect to experience at Riverfront’s Spring Celebration!

Bulgaria: “Baba Marta Day”

Bulgaria celebrates spring with “Baba Marta Day” on March 1^st every year. It is also known as Grandma Marta Day. In folklore, Baba Marta is believed to be a feisty and temperamental lady who seems always to be in a bad mood with her two brothers, January and February. One of many versions of this folklore says that on Baba Marta Day she does her pre-spring cleaning and shakes her mattress for the last time before the next winter – all the feathers that come out of it pour on Earth like snow – the last snow of the year. Traditional activities can include: Martenitsi (bracelets made of red and white string to signify renewal and birth), spring cleaning, spending time with family and grandparents, and picnicking. Riverfront will be celebrating “Baba Marta Day” by making Martenitsi and picnicking in the park!

Germany: Walpurgisnacht

Germany celebrates spring with Walpurgisnacht, or Walpurgis Night, on April 30-May 1. It is sometimes part of the traditional May Day celebrations in Europe (half way between Spring equinox and Summer solstice). It is named after the English Christian missionary Saint Walpurga, who arrived in Germany around 740 to begin her work. People celebrate to help ward off evil spirits for the year. Some describe it as Halloween in the spring, as there can be costumes and other Halloween-like activities that happen. Traditional activities include: costumes, bonfires, folk music, and flowers. Riverfront will be celebrating by creating paper flower baskets and enjoying music in the park!

Iran: Nowruz

Iran, and other nations in the Middle East, celebrate the arrival of spring with Nowruz on March 20. It is the Iranian/Persian New Years celebration. Internationally, Nowruz plays a significant role in strengthening the ties among people based on mutual respect and the ideals of peace and good neighborliness. Its traditions and rituals reflect the cultural and ancient customs of the civilizations of the East and West, which influenced those civilizations through the exchange of human values. Traditional activities reflect the “fresh start” of spring, and can include: spring cleaning their homes, feasting, wearing new clothes, visiting family and friends, exchanging gifts (especially common for younger children), decorating colorful eggs (much like celebrating Easter), and kite flying. Riverfront will be celebrating Nowruz by creating and decorating kites, color and learn about the traditional Nowruz table, and decorating colorful eggs.

Thailand: Songkran

In Thailand, they celebrate Songkran on April 13-15. It is also known as Thailand’s New Years celebration. Songkran refers to the sun’s annual passing into the Aries constellation, the first sign of the Zodiac, which marks the traditional start of the new year. Occurring in mid-April after the rice harvest, it is a time when people reunite with their families and pay their respects to adults, ancestors and sacred Buddha images. Traditional activities may include: creating Loy Krathong (a floating “basket” to honor the water goddess), bathing important Buddha images, splashing water on family and friends, folk plays, other games, music and feasting. Riverfront will be celebrating Songkran by creating Loy Krathong, listening to music, and picnicking!

Other Activities at Spring Celebration:

Riverfront’s other traditional spring celebration activities will be back and better than ever. Attendees can enjoy animal presentations from Indiana Wild and Soarin’ Hawk, a plant walk, chalk art stations and more! Follow Riverfront on Facebook to stay updated on all activity times and announcements regarding this event.