MIDDLESBROUGH youngsters taking part in Sunday’s Enjoy the Ride parade and carnival have been readying their Captain Cook-inspired designs.
Pupils at Breckon Hill Primary School have been working with their parents and local artists to create sea turtles for the event in Middlesbrough town centre on Sunday, May 1 as part of the Tour de Yorkshire celebrations.
The third stage of the Tour, which begins in Middlesbrough and finishes in Scarborough, has been billed as the Captain Cook stage.
Stellar Projects are creating a spectacular parade which brings together community costume groups, professional performers and musicians along with a cavalcade of decorated bikes.
Inspired by Captain Cook and the ships from his famous voyages; Endeavour, Discovery, Adventure & Resolution, the procession will incorporate the sights and sounds of the far flung places Cook visited, using their traditional colours, patterns and motifs to take the audience around the world and back again.
Costumes featuring iconic Maori patterns and Polynesian tattoos; Hawaiian tikis, botanical prints, exotic animals and shoals of colourful fish will all be on display.
On the day the costumes and structures will be brought to life with the familiar sounds of samba rhythms and brass melodies to get everyone moving and create a carnival atmosphere.
For those who want to find their perfect viewing spot for the carnival and parade, the carnival departs from Middlesbrough Town Hall at 1pm, turning right onto Albert Road, and then left on Corporation Road.
Much of the carnival will continue on Newport Road and then turn left into the Bus Station, and continue through Captain Cook Square and on to Gilkes Street.
Larger structures will turn left at Newport Crescent where they will wait at the intersection on Gilkes Street.
The full procession will then continue from Gilkes Street and turn right at the junction with Linthorpe Road, turn left at Grange Road, left at Albert Road to return to the start at Middlesbrough Town Hall.
Councillor Lewis Young, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport, said: “The arrival of the Tour de Yorkshire in Middlesbrough is a major coup for the town, and one which we will be celebrating in style. The carnival parade will be a fun free event which will draw on our proud links with Captain Cook, the inspiration for the final stage.”