A lantern parade featuring puppets, performers and music will light up a Stoke-on-Trent town this week.

Stoke Lanterns, run by Stoke-based arts organisation B. ARTS, is set to return for its fourth year on Friday 20 March, bringing a "celebration of light and community" to the town.

The event will begin at 6.30pm outside Stoke Library on South Wolfe Street and will finish with a finale at the Brilliant Bamboo brownfield site on Boothen Road.

Holly Johnson, Stoke Lanterns Co-Producer said: "We are so excited to be working with the wonderful people of Stoke-Upon-Trent and some brilliant local artists to bring Stoke Lanterns back for a fourth year.

"The community support for the event has been fantastic and we cannot wait to share some of the beautiful work that has been created"

This year's event will feature over 120 lanterns made in community workshops which took place across the town including at Stoke Indoor Market, Spode Museum, Brilliant Bamboo, B. ARTS Climate Café, Ukranian Family Support and Princes Trust.

The parade, which will tell the story of Luma's adventure to find the Lamp-lighter and bring the fire back to Stoke, will feature large scale lanterns – including 'Ember' a fire-y fox made by participants in B. ARTS masterclass workshop, and a specially commissioned 'Lamp-lighter Puppet' made by the B. ARTS studio team, who will lead the way through the town.

The parade will also be joined by Dan Fox from Sound Intervention and his two projector bikes which will be projecting specially commissioned illustrations,  created by Stoke-based artist Kidda Kinsey, along the buildings the parade passes.

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The bikes will also play original music created by composer Rachel Gladwin working with year one and two students from Stoke Minster Primary School.

The short parade will go from the Library around Kingsway, past the Kings Hall, Stoke Minster and along Boothen Road, before reaching its final destination: Brilliant Bamboo Parklet.

As part of the finale, audiences will see a Shadow Play, created by Kate Powell and Julie Moss based on a short story by Holly Johnson, accompanied by live harp music from Rachel Gladwin.

A spokesperson for B.ARTS said: "Everyone is welcome to join the parade, and there will be a limited number of spare lanterns from anyone who would like to carry one at the procession and people are also welcome to join in and walk the parade without one.

"The lanterns are made from willow and tissue paper, and are carried on bamboo poles, they are not let loose and do not harm wildlife."

B.ARTS also explained that the route is short and accessible (with drop curbs) and there is an accessible portaloo on site at Brilliant Bamboo as well as some seating. There will be a dedicated access steward with the event (in a pink high viz marked access).

Those with access needs can ask questions or ask for support by contacting Rebecca at [email protected]

Stoke Lanterns is part of B. ARTS Cascade programme supported by Stoke Creates and Arts Council England, the Know Your Neighbourhood Fund-supported by UK Government and Historic England and the Animate 72 project funded by Stoke-On-Trent City Council and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

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