Harrogate was brought to a standstill yesterday (19 April 2014) when the 41st Harrogate International Youth Festival kicked off with its long-awaited Easter Parade.
The bright spring day saw the boroughs unite as all five mayors led the parade through Harrogate town centre. Entertaining long-term festival supporters, passers-by and tourists, 800 young performers from the region and around the world took to the streets with their musical instruments.
Many turned out to support the wide array of talent on offer from near and far.
The march was led by the commanding sounds of Tewitt Youth Band, Gold Medallists in the National Brass Band championships of Great Britain and a group which has had a lasting relationship with the Festival. Other guests included the Harrogate Sea Cadets, the UK National Youth Marching Band of Great Britain and St Aelreds Irish Dancers walking alongside internationals from Canada, Russia, Rwanda and Germany.
The parade was an exciting pre-cursor to the Grand Opening concert which took place at the Royal Hall yesterday evening. The opening night will be followed by a varied line up throughout Harrogate and the surrounding area including Harewood House, Fountains Abbey, RHS Harlow Carr and Newby Hall before coming to a spectacular close at Wednesday night’s Grand Finale.
The Box Office will be open throughout the event.
Tickets can be purchased on the door and through Harrogate Theatre’s Box Office located on Oxford Street, via 01423 502116, securely online at www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk or by emailing boxoffice@harrogatetheatre.co.uk
