Wake Up the Earth Festival In JP 2019 Is Here

JAMAICA PLAIN, MA — It's spring and that means the Wake Up The Earth festival is here. Saturday, May 4, you can expect to see a lot of folks out in the street. It is actually the 41st year for the WUTE festival, hosted now by Spontaneous Celebrations, and has its roots in the social activism that JP is known for.

The annual festival always happens on the first Saturday in May rain or shine and some 10,000 people of all ages are expected to attend to watch music and dance performances, theatre, and the Youth Stage and then wander around to more than 50 craft, non-profit and food vendors.

There will be food trucks galore. It's happening all day Saturday so make your way over toward the Stonybrook T stop, follow the happy people and check it out. And you probably want to bring an umbrella.

Although last year it was sunny, this year the forecasters are calling for showers and a high of about 59 degrees.

Wake Up The Earth began in 1979 when a group of local neighbors and activists banded together to stop the Interstate 95 expansion into Jamaica Plain.

"The festival began as, and still is, a celebration of what can be accomplished when people of all traditions, cultures, ages, and beliefs come together," reads the Spontaneous Celebrations website.

Oh and did we mention the parade? The festival is anchored by a massive parade staring from JP Center and Roxbury with several thousand people marching.

It can get pretty packed, folks. But it's a fun day, especially if the weather is with us.

And as with every year, there will be road closures, the Boston police remnd us:

• Boylston and New Minton Streets will be closed to traffic from Amory Street to Lamartine Street from 8 AM to 8 PM.
• A march will begin at 11:15 AM on Centre Street heading north, turn right on Lamartine Street, ending at the corner of Boylston and Amory Streets.
• A second march will begin at 11:45 AM on Washington Street, turn left onto Columbus Avenue, left onto Centre Street, turn right onto Lamartine Street, ending at the corner of Boylston and Amory Streets.

“Tow Zone No Stopping Boston Police Special Event Saturday” parking restrictions will be in effect as follows.

• Boylston Street, Jamaica Plain, both sides, Amory Street to Lamartine Street
• Lamartine Street, Jamaica Plain, both sides, Boylston Street to Lawndale Terrace

And road closures mean less parking. So don't drive: Run, walk ride a bike or take the T. For info on renting a bike from Bluebikes go here.

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).