fabrikatefest

My name is Kate. My small business is Fabrikate. I make bags, backpacks, wallets and totes, and joyfully absurd animal shaped bags.

I have always loved parades, since I won first place at about 8 years old for my kooky winged pink elephant costume my mom made me.

I have been involved with the Parade of Lights in Champaign for a few years and I love the joy that night brings to the community. When we first moved to Champaign we would take the kids every year, it was something we looked forward to. My first entry was a very rough vinyl table cloth dragon thrown together in a few weeks in my garage. It was fastened to a dog agility tube and so so janky.

In 2024 I started much earlier and sewed a 25 foot dragon (named Gertie, after my sewing machine) out of ripstop nylon with an intricate PVC skeleton. I enlisted a merry gang of local friends, artists, and musicians to carry and accompany Gertie through downtown Champaign. We won "Best Marchers" in that year's Parade of Lights!

In 2025, I wanted things to be even bigger and better. We made improvements to Gertie's PVC skeleton, and I created 3 ridiculous hoop skirted "Silver Belle" costumes with wobbly light-up hats and wings — all to go along with that year's Parade of Lights theme.

But because of weather, the parade was cancelled at the last minute. After a day of tears and mourning my friends picked me up, rallied and helped me organize the first ever Fabrikatefest, an indoor mini parade with swing dancers and a costume contest.

It was truly magical, an hour or so of joy and laughter where all participants joined together, put the world on pause, raised Gertie up and walked the halls, ending with a swing dance party in front of the giant Christmas tree. It brought tears to my eyes, the joy of it all.

And then I thought: What if I started next year's prep even sooner, like January or February, since those are the dead months for my business? What if I had the time to construct costumes at a leisurely pace and not need to rush and fit them in between custom orders, late night or while I struggle to maintain inventory for art shows? What if I did the Parade of Lights as usual but ALSO organized a small fabrikate parade or festival of folly later in December, expanded on this fabrikatefest idea?? What if I had the funds to hire and pay a kick ass band what they deserve, rent Lincoln Square Mall and move the entire fabrikatefest inside, to guard us against any potential weather disasters?

I applied for an Urbana Arts Council Grant this year... and unbelievably, my grant application was approved! So we've got funding to make fabrikatefest 2026 bigger and better, to help pay other local artists, musicians, and other performers to come and contribute to an awesome, free community event.

— Kate, Fabrikate