Festive community parade shines a light on Bromsgrove this December.
Bromsgrove town centre will play host to The Festival of Light, a truly magical outdoor event on Sunday 17th December. The Festival of Light, created in partnership with Artrix, NWedR and Bromsgrove District Council will bring together the people of Bromsgrove in a community celebration of togetherness, light and the Winter season.
This atmospheric event is a large-scale, outdoor, multi-faith lantern procession guided through the town’s centre. Everyone is invited to join in with this accessible and celebratory parade or just admire and soak up the atmosphere as the candle lit procession travels from Poundland to Argos.
Artrix Arts Centre is programming the event and has collaborated with associate artist, Kristoffer Huball and outdoor arts company Beautiful Creatures to add to the visual spectacle. A striking 20ft giant puppet created by Beautiful Creatures will lead the parade through the town centre, searching for the community spirit of Bromsgrove.
In the run up to The Festival of Light individuals, families, local schools and community groups are invited to participate in a free lantern making workshop, creating their own lantern to illuminate during the procession.
There are lantern making workshops at Parkside, Bromsgrove District Council offices on Market Street during December for making a simple pyramid lantern or those who enjoy a creative challenge make their own unique masterpiece. Lantern making workshops are free of charge and spaces can be booked via the Artrix box office.
Hannah Phillips, Director of Artrix said; “We’re thrilled to be working with such talented artists to create this visual spectacular. We want to unite local people of all genders, nationalities, ages, religions and abilities with an inspiring and beautiful piece of outdoor art and we hope that lots of people will join us during December to create their own lanterns.”
The event will be hosted by BBC Hereford and Worcester’s Tammy Gooding. The celebratory procession will feature music from Bromsgrove’s community Samba band, Someone at the Door and will culminate with The Destroyers, a Birmingham-based Balkan gypsy band for the finale.
Bromsgrove Centres Manager Cheryl Welsh, who has part-funded the parade said: “We are very excited to have the festival of light in the town centre and are hoping to grow the event year-on-year making it a big part of the events calendar for everyone to enjoy.”
Cllr Peter Whittaker, whose portfolio covers Leisure Services, said: “Not only will this brilliant event help boost the local economy around Christmas by attracting visitors to the Town Centre, as a council it also strengthens our relationship with local organisations, in particular the creative sector. Whether it’s making a lantern or enjoying the parade itself – what a great way to keep the whole family entertained!”
This free, family friendly event is open to everybody at 5pm on Sunday 17th December. For further information about the parade or to book a free lantern making workshop visit www.artrix.co.uk or contact the box office on 01527 577330.