• Twins Addison Thibeault, left and Aria Thibault, 8, of New Ipswich, don flower crows to fit the theme during Children and the Arts in Peterborough on Saturday.
    Twins Addison Thibeault, left and Aria Thibault, 8, of New Ipswich, don flower crows to fit the theme during Children and the Arts in Peterborough on Saturday. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript
  • Twins Addison Thibeault, left and Aria Thibault, 8, of New Ipswich, don flower crows to fit the theme during Children and the Arts in Peterborough on Saturday.
    Twins Addison Thibeault, left and Aria Thibault, 8, of New Ipswich, don flower crows to fit the theme during Children and the Arts in Peterborough on Saturday. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript
  • Graham Slocomb, 5, of Greenfield, does a coloring craft at Children and the Arts.
    Graham Slocomb, 5, of Greenfield, does a coloring craft at Children and the Arts. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript
  • Naomi Greenesims, 3, of Rindge, decorates a flower pot.
    Naomi Greenesims, 3, of Rindge, decorates a flower pot. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript
  • Naomi Greenesims, 3, of Rindge, decorates a flower pot.
    Naomi Greenesims, 3, of Rindge, decorates a flower pot. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript
  • Sawyer Patten, 9, and Nate Monty of Morphs & Milestones show off their boa constrictor, Star.
    Sawyer Patten, 9, and Nate Monty of Morphs & Milestones show off their boa constrictor, Star. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript
  • Sean Driscoll, Martha Crocker, Melissa Stephenson and Crhistine Long show an observation hive to visitors.
    Sean Driscoll, Martha Crocker, Melissa Stephenson and Crhistine Long show an observation hive to visitors. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript
  • Children dance and play with bubbles on Grove Street in Peterborough during Children and the Arts.
    Children dance and play with bubbles on Grove Street in Peterborough during Children and the Arts. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript
  • The Folksoul Band plays live music during the Children and the Arts Parade.
    The Folksoul Band plays live music during the Children and the Arts Parade. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript
  • Children dance and play with bubbles on Grove Street in Peterborough during Children and the Arts.
    Children dance and play with bubbles on Grove Street in Peterborough during Children and the Arts. Children dance and play with bubbles on Grove Street in Peterborough during Children and the Arts. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript
  • Beckett Harris of Peterborough is dressed as the Hungry, Hungry Caterpillar.
    Beckett Harris of Peterborough is dressed as the Hungry, Hungry Caterpillar. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript
  • The ConVal band plays a marching beat down the street.
    The ConVal band plays a marching beat down the street. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript
  • Members of the Cornucopia Project wave as they march in the parade.
    Members of the Cornucopia Project wave as they march in the parade. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript
  • Children from the Lionheart Classical Academy march in the parade.
    Children from the Lionheart Classical Academy march in the parade. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript
  • A bumblebee puppet is part of the Lionheart Classical Academy showcase.
    A bumblebee puppet is part of the Lionheart Classical Academy showcase. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript
  • Familiar childhood classic The Hungry, Hungry Caterpillar makes and appearance in the parade.
    Familiar childhood classic The Hungry, Hungry Caterpillar makes and appearance in the parade. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript
  • Familiar childhood classic The Hungry, Hungry Caterpillar makes and appearance in the parade.
    Familiar childhood classic The Hungry, Hungry Caterpillar makes and appearance in the parade. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript
  • Members of the Flying Gravity juggle balls and clubs as they march down Grove Street.
    Members of the Flying Gravity juggle balls and clubs as they march down Grove Street. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript
  • Members of the Flying Gravity juggle balls and clubs as they march down Grove Street.
    Members of the Flying Gravity juggle balls and clubs as they march down Grove Street. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript
  • Members of the Flying Gravity perform tricks as they march down Grove Street.
    Members of the Flying Gravity perform tricks as they march down Grove Street. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript
  • MaXT Makerspace in Peterborough march their puppet down the street.
    MaXT Makerspace in Peterborough march their puppet down the street. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript
  • Granite State Cheer perform cartwheels and flips during the parade.
    Granite State Cheer perform cartwheels and flips during the parade. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript
  • Students of Pierce School in Bennington march in the parade.
    Students of Pierce School in Bennington march in the parade. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript
  • The Hancock Elementary School made a puppet of their mascot, the husky.
    The Hancock Elementary School made a puppet of their mascot, the husky. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript
  • Members of the Undertow Brass Band play as they march.
    Members of the Undertow Brass Band play as they march. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript
  • Members of the Undertow Brass Band play as they march.
    Members of the Undertow Brass Band play as they march. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript
  • The Well School marches with posters and puppets.
    The Well School marches with posters and puppets. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript
  • The Well School marches with posters and puppets.
    The Well School marches with posters and puppets. Credit: ASHLEY SAARI / Ledger-Transcript

It was sunny skies for the 2026 annual Children and the Arts Festival in Peterborough on Saturday.

This year’s theme, “Let Your Garden Grow,” had garden-themed children’s activities, live music provided by the Folksoul Band, and the traditional noontime parade down Grove Street, featuring local schools and organizations with hand-made puppets of gardeners, pollinators and flowers.