Crowds brave the rain for the Stoke-on-Trent People's Parade
Hundreds braved the stormy weather today for the Stoke-on-Trent People's Parade which saw creatives, performers and organisations take to the streets in Hanley in a vibrant celebration of the city.
The parade forms part of the celebrations to mark 100 years of Stoke-on-Trent city status and included a 16ft puppet, one hundred ducks, dancing cupcakes and a twenty-strong marching band, KiLNE.
Stoke Creates has organised the parade with the theme of 'from the cradle to the rave'.
Schools have also been involved in crafting colourful costumes with other creative organisations such as MADULA and one of the parade's main organisers - Urban Wilderness.
Each section of the parade resembled a part of Stoke-on-Trent, whether that is arts, music or community.
The Spirit of Stoke - which has been made out of several materials - has been created to embody the iconic arts and architecture, whilst paying tribute to music and dance - including northern soul, punk and rave.
Puppet Maker Richard Redwin, of B Arts and Red Thing Creations, said: "For the last four weeks we've been assembling a giant puppet to lead the People's Parade.
"This is the largest puppet build we've ever worked on and we have really challenged ourselves to go above and beyond."
"Summing up the spirit of a whole city - and six different towns - in a single puppet might seem like an impossible task, but we've focused in on the art and music that makes our city iconic in the UK, finding inspiration in the music and dance subcultures that have defined us over the last century."
Isla Telford, Co-director of arts organisation Urban Wilderness - one of the main organisers of the People's Parade, said: "This event is a real opportunity to celebrate the incredible talent that we have in Stoke.
"This event is huge and has been a great opportunity for all the artists to bring their A game."
Holly Johnson and Eve Travis, of The Block Studios, in Newcastle-under-Lyme have worked with artist Jessi Byron to create 100 vibrant cupcake costumes for students from the Angela Beardmore School of Dance to wear.
Holly and Eve said: "We've had loads of fun dressing up, playing with materials and designing the cupcake costumes. Our priority was to make them colourful, fun, movable and for them to look impressive whilst also fairly easy for us to replicate - as we've had the huge job of making 100 of them."
MADULA - who deliver creative and cultural workshops, performances and projects for young children, young people and community groups in North Staffordshire and The Midlands - have been working with groups for a community samba parade - involving pupils from various local schools.
A spokesperson from Madula said: "Madula is very excited to be part of the People's Parade. We've worked across the City since 1998 and we love the City of Stoke-on-Trent and all the communities within it."
A 'Unified in Pride' section resembled all of the city's six towns and pupils from the Co-Op Academy Clarice Cliff have been involved in the Longton feature, with other schools also involved in other town creations.
Sara Eyden Office administrator and community Ppioneer at Co-op Academy Clarice Cliff said: "It's such a joy to see our children involved in something so meaningful and exciting.
"They're incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to participate and create lasting memories."
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All images via Nub News
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