The 9th annual Giant Puppet Fest returns this month with puppetry arts from local and national artists with shows that run the gambit from kid-friendly to adults-only. This year’s Giant Puppet Festival features unique works by U.S. Touring Puppetry Artists including Night Shade from Portland, OR and ToyBox Theater from Asheville, NC. Local favorites include The Mudlark Puppeteers; Harry Mayronne; Flutterbug; Poose The Puppet; The Inner Workings Theater; Three-Brained Robot; Velvet Effigy; Esmerelda the Puppet; abandoned ships; and Miss Pussycat. Short video segments, workshops, and a giant puppet parade are on the schedule of events.

This year’s event spans over five days (April 13-17) and venues include: The Mudlark Public Theatre at 1200 Port Street; Happyland Theater at 3126 Burgundy Street; The Backyard Ballroom at 3519 St. Claude; CANOA at 4210 St. Claude; The Allways Lounge (Twilight Room) at 2240 St. Claude; and the Spellcaster Lounge at 3052 St. Claude. Note: The Giant Puppet Parade will take place April 15 and line up at Plessy Park.

For more information, on the festival, artist line-up, tickets and festival packages, and more, visit here. Tickets are available ahead of time and cash is $10-$20 at the door (on a sliding scale for adults, with a $5-$10 donation suggested for kids under 12).