Call for youth groups to join St George’s Day celebrations

Call for youth groups to join St George’s Day celebrations

Derby’s annual St George’s Day celebrations take place on Saturday 18 April, and a call has gone out for local children’s and youth groups who want to follow St George and his Dragon’s footsteps in the traditional city centre parade.

Produced by Derby LIVE, the outdoor event has grown in scope and popularity in recent years to become a family-friendly celebration of English tradition and heritage in all its eccentricities.

Again, Derby LIVE will be teaming up with Folk 3D, who use dance, music and song to connect people of all ages and abilities to traditional local and national culture, music and dance group Folk Dance Remixed, and theatre group The Lost Boys, whose annual re-telling of the St George and the Dragon story is a highlight of the day.

The final touches are being put to plans which include a parade led by musicians from Folk 3D, Folk Dance Remixed, the Derby LIVE dragon and The Lost Boys as St George and the Dragon. They will leave The Spot at 11am and weave their way through the city centre before an afternoon of entertainment at the Market Place.

Joining them will be Morris dancers, who will also perform at The Spot, St Peter’s Cross, Cathedral Square and Sadlergate during the afternoon; performers from The Kitsch Kafé serving up their own blend of humour, and The Victorian Flower Seller, trailing a bustle so large it has a life of its own and a name (Betty).

Characters from the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, provided by Furthest From The Sea, and medieval re-enactors Team Falchion will make up the parade, with local children’s and youth organisations invited to join in the fun, and even dress up as dragons. Dogs are also welcome in the parade, with their owners invited to dress them as dragons too!

A full programme of events is being planned for the Market Place after the main parade. Confirmed so far are The Lost Boys, re-enacting the legend of St George and the Dragon in their own inimitable style, and music and dancing from Folk Dance Remixed.

The Kitsch Kafé and Victorian Flower Seller will be walking around the Market Place, and the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party will celebrate with a cup of tea. Onlookers will be thrilled by Team Falchion’s medieval re-enactment and jousting by Reach the Core, have the chance to have a go at archery, join in Folk Dance Remixed’s Ceilidh, and even try Maypole dancing. The full programme will be announced nearer to the event, which ends at 3pm.

Any youth groups or organisations who would like to take part in the parade should register their interest at spacehire@derby.gov.uk by Monday 6 April at the latest.

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