Organisers of the eagerly anticipated 39th Harrogate International Youth Festival; a vivid programme of music and performing arts from the region and around the globe, are delighted to announce the return of its much-loved Easter parade in 2012.
The parade – once a focal point for the entire programme – will take place on Saturday 7th April, taking in a key route through the town. Though it hasn’t been commissioned for four years, the parade remains a key talking point and for many was always a huge highlight in the annual programme. Its return will bring more musical and performing delights to the town as well as boosting awareness of the event on one of the busiest weekends of the year.
Organisers of the Harrogate International Youth Festival have teamed up with Knaresborough Lions and the Rotary Club of Harrogate to make the vital traffic management and planning arrangements which will bring this much-loved and missed part of the event back to life.
Street dance; performers take to Harrogate Town Centre to celebrate Festival
The parade will offer a preview of some of the local, regional and international acts on offer at the week-long Festival, running from 6th-12th April, as well as offering excellent exposure to sponsoring businesses from the local area.
So far, participants for the 2012 Festival include groups from Canada, Poland and Germany, as well as a number of local groups from the Harrogate area.
The Harrogate International Youth Festival delivers an annual programme of rich and diverse performances to delighted crowds in some of the region’s finest venues including; Harewood House, Ripon Cathedral, Newby Hall and Harrogate’s crown jewel, The Royal Hall.
The Festival is an exciting event which provides young performers from near and far with the chance to meet like-minded people from across the globe. The 2012 event is shaping up to be one of the biggest in the event’s recent years and plans to boost the Festival with some exciting surprises are underway.
Chair of the Festival Committee, John Wood said:
We are beyond thrilled to be able to bring back something which has been loved by so many people over the years.
There is something very nostalgic and exciting about a parade and we feel it captures the very essence of the Festival’s events to bring people together and celebrate international performing talent as well as that of our own local and regional young people.
David Hayes, President of the Rotary Club of Harrogate added:
The parade has been sadly missed over the past few years. The Club is delighted to be able to do its part in resurrecting this crowd pleasing event on Easter Saturday.
Phil Oldfield, President of the Knaresborough Lions said:
Several Lions have been professionally trained in traffic management as part of our organisation of the annual Great Knaresborough Bed Race.
We are delighted to use this experience to help revive the wonderful Easter Parade for the Harrogate International Youth Festival. I am sure this will prompt fantastic memories for everybody.
For more information please visit www.hiyf.co.uk or call 0844 858 1545.
