On April 26, about 100 Lower East Side gardeners and supporters took part in a new pageant intended to celebrate the neighborhood’s abundant green spaces, while calling attention to the need to make all community gardens permanent. Called Spring Awakening, the event harkened back to the Earth Celebrations pageant of old, with homemade costumes, music, a “poetry romp” and street revelry. Four different parade groups set off from different locations and meandered through the neighborhood visiting various green havens, then converged on El Jardin del Paradiso, on E. Fourth St., which is home to a massive tree fort. Above, everyone gathered for a group photo in All People’s Garden, on E. Third St. Herman Hewitt, Community Board 3 first vice chairperson, is at left in first row, in green sweatshirt.
