ONLINE: SummerPalooza

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Claudia and Dan Zanes

Madison Children's Museum has been closed since March 14, but maintained a robust program of interactive events both via Facebook and with self-guided "Sidewalk Surprises" outdoor activities around Madison. The museum's traditional summer kickoff, SummerPalooza, will also transition to Facebook this year. Along with a virtual parade, there will be music by DrumPower, Forward! Marching Band, Ken Lonnquist and Dan & Claudia Zanes, magic by James the Magician and Truly Remarkable Loon, and more.

press release: The Madison Children's Museum's 8th annual SummerPalooza festival becomes a ZoomerPalooza this year. Families can safely celebrate the start of summer with performances, museum fun, and a virtual community parade. Special guests include:

• Grammy Award–Winners Dan & Claudia Zanes
• Truly Remarkable Loon
• Ken Lonnquist
• Wild Rumpus Circus
• DrumPower
• Forward Marching Band
• James the Magician
• Leo the Tortoise
• Puppets Telling Jokes
• T-Rex Dance Off
• and many more...

The party streams from the museum's Facebook page on Saturday, June 6, 10 a.m. The event will last about one hour.

Join via Facebook

For the past seven years, the kids of Madison have kicked off summer and summer vacation season with SummerPalooza, a joyful festival on the Capitol Square, hosted by Madison Children's Museum—and presented each year by BMO Harris Bank. SummerPalooza has always been one of the most popular and highest-attendance days for the museum. Approximately 2,000 visitors would enjoy free admission, scores of entertainers, activities, and a parade around the Capitol Square. 

Madison Children's Museum has been closed to the public since March 14, 2020, due to the Covid-19 crisis. Since that time, the museum has ramped up its online content, converting many beloved in-museum programs to video via its new MCM at Home initiative.

When it became clear the traditional SummerPalooza celebration could not take place, the museum moved it all online—lining up special appearances from favorite children's performers as well as museum staff, puppets, and animals. 

"BMO Harris is proud to again be the presenting sponsor of Madison Children's Museum's SummerPalooza," says Steve Cairns, director & private wealth advisor. "While we can't gather on the Capitol Square this year, we are happy to support this virtual kick-off to summer that will bring joy into homes across our community."

Deb Gilpin, the museum's president and CEO reflects on their gift: "We are so appreciative for the support we've received from BMO Harris for every  SummerPalooza festival since the beginning. But this year is special. They've recognized that the need for joy and connection amongst our families is greater than ever. And we absolutely could not do this without them."

The museum was able to take advantage of the new format to arrange special content, such as a video of two human-sized T-Rexes having a dance off in the museum, and a special performance from Grammy winners Dan and Claudia Zanes, from their home in Baltimore, Maryland.