The annual FestiFools parade has quickly become a popular rite of spring in Ann Arbor, and this year organizers are adding a related event: a nighttime FoolMoon processional with homemade lanterns on April 1.

Workshops to make the luminaries are being held throughout the month, with the first taking place today at the Workantile Exchange on Main Street. Photographer Melanie Maxwell captured these images:

Additional workshops will be held Every Sunday in March from 10-5 p.m., at Workantile Exchange, 118 S. Maint St., with complimentary refreshments by Sweetwaters available for the first 50 attendees. Also, the Ann Arbor Public Library (Downtown Branch) will be hosting an all ages workshop on Friday March 11 starting at 7 p.m., and the University of Michigan Museum of Art will host a workshop in its multi-purpose room from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, March 26. No registration is necessary at any of these workshops.

In addition, FestiFools producers have also created fun kits containing everything you'll need including all tools, materials, and even YouTube video instructions, so that you can create your own fish-shaped lantern at home. These kits are being sold locally at Downtown Home and Garden, Ace Hardware stores, Acme Mercantile, B-Green, Yourist Studio Gallery, Found, Trillium Realty and Peaceable Kingdom. The proceeds from these kit sales help support FestiFools free public art events and other creative and educational programs.

Here's the how-to video:

Once you've created your unique lantern, you'll be ready to join the entire community in this first-annual procession of handmade lanterns culminating in a giant shadow puppet celebration on Washington Street hosted by the owners of Grizzly Peak, Blue Tractor, and Jolly Pumpkin restaurants.

For more information go to the FestiFools website.