A day of celebrations to mark the centenary of the city of Stoke-on-Trent is taking place on 7 June from 1pm. 

Hundreds of performers are set to walk through the city centre in The People's Parade on Saturday with the celebrations concluding with a party in Hanley Park which will feature street food stalls, activities and live music acts until 6pm. 

The parade will begin on College Road adjacent to Hanley Park at 1pm and the route will take the festivities to Broad Street, passing the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, before walking down Bethesda Street and Regent Road as the parade makes its way back to Hanley Park for 2:30pm. 

The 'Party in the Park' will begin as the parade sets off and partygoers are encouraged to bring picnics, chairs and blankets. A seating area and licensed bar will be set up in the park but alcohol won't be allowed to be brought in.

Talented local artists will be taking to the stage in Hanley Park, including singer-songwriter Levi Knapper, electropop artist Dala Jade and a popular Taylor Swift Tribute act - Bejeweled: The Taylor Swift Tribute.  

Also on the line up are Steel Pan Band, Greg Murray and the Seven Wonders and Boogie Knights.

The People's Parade map has been designed by local artist Kidda Kinsey. (SOTCC)

Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Stoke Creates have organised the parade and they say it will show the world what makes Stoke-on-Trent so special in a celebration of the city's people, history, heroes, and community spirit.

With the theme of 'from the cradle to the rave', the parade will bring together people of all ages and backgrounds and feature themed sections that showcase the city's heritage and creative spirit with thousands of spectators expected to be lining the streets. 

It will feature 100 dancing cupcakes, a towering Spirit of Stoke puppet, children in yellow duck hats, dancers, musicians and a spectacular array of costumes and models reflecting the city's heritage and creativity. 

Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Cllr Steve Watkins, said: "Stokie's unite! The icing on the Centenary cake will be taking place this weekend, with the People's Parade. 

"It is a monumental time for the city, and we hope you can all come out in force and share that passion and pride for our great city.

"The streets will be lined with people, all coming together to celebrate Stoke-on-Trent and the salt of the earth folk who make it what it is."

Access to some roads will be affected by short road closures to allow the People's Parade to safely follow their route. Some parking bays along the route may also be briefly suspended: 

• 12.30pm – 1.30pm: College Road from Avenue Road to A5006 Broad Street. Access to adjoining roads will be affected.
• 1.15pm – 1.45pm – Broad St and adjoining roads
• 2.00pm – 2.30pm – Bethesda Road, Lower Bethesda Road and adjoining roads
• 2.30pm – 3.00pm – Regent Road and adjoining roads

The council says the parade has been planned so only small areas will be closed for a short period of time and will be "immediately reopened as soon as it is safe to do so".

The parade is made possible through funding from Arts Council England, which has supported the city-wide centenary programme.

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