THE North-East’s biggest Community Carnival is once again coming to Stockton this summer and people across the Borough are being invited to take part.
The event will take place on Saturday 1 August as part of this year’s Stockton International Riverside Festival (SIRF).
This year’s carnival theme, ‘Instant Light’, is inspired by the book of the same name by Sara Maitland.
The carnival will bring to life the magical tale of how Stockton became a festival town – starting with the historic fact of John Walker’s invention of the friction match and weaving through it the magic of the circus to create a mythical version of how the festival might have come about.
Youth, school, community, sports and performance groups are being encouraged to participate in the colourful community celebration.
Stockton Council is holding a special welcome evening on Tuesday 28 April where group leaders can meet the artists, find out more about the theme and opportunities to take part. The evening will be held from 6 to 8pm at The Education Centre, Junction Road, Norton, TS20 1PR.
Stockton Council’s Head of Culture, Leisure and Adult Learning, Reuben Kench, said: “The carnival is always one of SIRF’s highlights, bringing people together from across the Borough for a real community celebration. It’s a unique opportunity to have a starring role in SIRF and develop your creativity. There are lots of ways you can take part – why not come along to the welcome evening next Tuesday to find out how you can get involved?”
There are various ways that groups can be part of it, including costume making, drumming and performance workshops.
Groups that are interested in taking part in the carnival but can’t attend the welcome evening can register by calling Lyndsey Stephenson on 01642 527696 or emailing carnival@stockton.gov.uk
For further information about the Carnival and its theme visit www.sirf.co.uk