“Save Our Bees” and “Pollinators Rock” read signs we carried while parading with the Backyard Growers, Cape Ann Farmers’ Market and Ukeladies group in the Fishtown Horribles Parade—the annual Independence Day Eve celebration in Gloucester, Massachusetts—on July 3, 2015. And our coalition won first place in the “civic” group/biker gang category. (Photos by Greg Cook)

Michele Del Vecchio suggested our theme: Protecting bees, butterflies and other pollinators that are crucial to our food supply, but whose populations have been crashing, scientific research says, due to pesticides. Amanda Cook turned her pickup truck into a bee-mobile, which was driven by Nicole Bogin of the Cape Ann Farmers’ Market. In the back of the truck, the Ukeladies (Michele, Amanda, Kim Buckley, Colleen Apostolos-Marsh and Dawn Sarrouf) played sweet flower and bug themed tunes. Meanwhile kids handed out real carrots from the Farmer’s Market to the crowd.

Children from the Lepioka-Brosnihan (featured in The Gloucester Daily Times), Cunningham, Cook, Duckworth, Percival Cook, Sarrouf, Del Vecchio, Bogin-Olson, Buckley, Featherstone and some other families rode bikes and scooters while dressed in bee, butterfly, bat and other pollinator costumes that they made themselves. Some of their parents participated, too. Kari Percival designed and made the big signs and bee hats—and worked with local families to make more hats during two workshops at the Cape Ann Farmers’ Market. We were also joined by Susan Steiner, Susan Erony, Jessica Finch and Victoria Merriman (in her amazing bee costume).

Lara Lepionka of the Backyard Growers rode in the group’s van, which was decorated with plastic fruit, a giant carrot sculpture, paintings, and, on the back, a banner painted by Greg Cook.

Also many thanks to Susan Donelan Burke​, Cricket Press in Manchester, Mass., and Jess Semeraro,​ who donated materials to the cause.

"Many bees and butterflies have declined 90 percent in the last 20 years."
“Many bees and butterflies have declined 90 percent in the last 20 years.”
"Butterflies usually are attracted to brightly colored flowers."
“Butterflies usually are attracted to brightly colored flowers.”
"Protect pollinators from going extinct." "Native bees and butterflies pollinate 85 percent of plants and trees."
“Protect pollinators from going extinct.” “Native bees and butterflies pollinate 85 percent of plants and trees.”
Backyard Growers and Cape Ann Farmers' Market group in the Gloucester Horribles Parade on July 3, 2015.
Backyard Growers and Cape Ann Farmers’ Market group in the Gloucester Horribles Parade on July 3, 2015.
The Ukeladies.
The Ukeladies.
Backyard Growers and Cape Ann Farmers' Market group in the Gloucester Horribles Parade on July 3, 2015.
Backyard Growers and Cape Ann Farmers’ Market group in the Gloucester Horribles Parade on July 3, 2015.
"Save our bees!" "The honey possum of Australia   pollinates the banksia and eucalyptus flowers."
“Save our bees!” “The honey possum of Australia pollinates the banksia and eucalyptus flowers.”
Real carrots from the Cape Ann Farmers' Market to pass out to the crowd.
Real carrots from the Cape Ann Farmers’ Market to pass out to the crowd.
Bee-mobile.
Bee-mobile.
"Save our bees."
“Save our bees.”
Giving real carrots to the crowd.
Giving real carrots to the crowd.
"End pesticide use on our crops, lawn, parks, roads." Also "Pollinators rock!"
“End pesticide use on our crops, lawn, parks, roads.” Also “Pollinators rock!”
Backyard Growers and Cape Ann Farmers' Market group in the Gloucester Horribles Parade on July 3, 2015.
Backyard Growers and Cape Ann Farmers’ Market group in the Gloucester Horribles Parade on July 3, 2015.
The Ukeladies.
The Ukeladies.
Backyard Growers and Cape Ann Farmers' Market group in the Gloucester Horribles Parade on July 3, 2015.
Backyard Growers and Cape Ann Farmers’ Market group in the Gloucester Horribles Parade on July 3, 2015.
"I speak for the bees."
“I speak for the bees.”
"Fireflies are attracted to tall plants!"
“Fireflies are attracted to tall plants!”
"I speak for the bees."
“I speak for the bees.”
"About one-fourth of the 940 species of bats in the world are endangered."
“About one-fourth of the 940 species of bats in the world are endangered.”
"I speak for the bees."
“I speak for the bees.”
"Pollinators rock!"
“Pollinators rock!”
The Ukeladies at the Rhumbline.
The Ukeladies at the Rhumbline.
Waiting for the MBTA train to pass.
Waiting for the MBTA train to pass.
"40 percent of food crops require pollination."
“40 percent of food crops require pollination.”
Backyard Growers and Cape Ann Farmers' Market group in the Gloucester Horribles Parade on July 3, 2015.
Backyard Growers and Cape Ann Farmers’ Market group in the Gloucester Horribles Parade on July 3, 2015.
Kari Percival leads bee hat-making workshop at Cape Ann Farmers' Market on July 2, 2015.
Kari Percival leads bee hat-making workshop at Cape Ann Farmers’ Market on July 2, 2015.
Kari Percival leads bee hat-making workshop at Cape Ann Farmers' Market on July 2, 2015.
Kari Percival leads bee hat-making workshop at Cape Ann Farmers’ Market on July 2, 2015.