News & Media
2nd July 2018
MONSTERS AND MYTHS JOIN THE MAGIC OF THE PARADE
More than 2,000 dancers, artists, street performers and local people from community and school groups took part in the event, organised by South Tyneside Council supported by the Port of Tyne
Thousands of people lined the streets as a cavalcade of Monsters, Myths and Magic took part in the South Tyneside Festival Summer Parade.
A giant phoenix, a double-headed unicorn and a three-headed elephant were among the fantastical creatures to hit the streets of South Shields on Saturday as the region’s biggest carnival returned.
More than 2,000 dancers, artists, street performers and local people from community and school groups took part in the event, organised by South Tyneside Council supported by the Port of Tyne, Colmans Seafood Temple, Arts Council England and BBC Newcastle.
Brightly decorated floats created by south Tyneside-based carnival experts Creative Seed led the way, as the parade made its way from the Town Hall to Bents Park.
Disney characters, unicorns, witches, wizards and suffragettes were among the characters taking part, joined by civic leaders and South Shields FC, who rode in on a decorated open-top bus after being crowned 2017/18 Evo-Stick North Division Champions.
Once the parade reached Bents Park, the public was able to enjoy a host of free entertainment including a one-off performance of Icarus by Southpaw Dance Company along with live music, and a performance from Michael Jackson tribute, James Aston.
Mayor of South Tyneside Ken Stephenson said: “I think this has been a brilliant day for the borough.
“It’s important for the community to be brought together in this way and it is also good to have South Shields FC here following their promotion. We’re proud to have them.”
For more information on the South Tyneside Festival, including four free Sunday Concerts this month featuring top name acts such as Pixie Lott, The Vamps, Scouting for Girls, Atomic Kitten and Heather Small, visit www.southtynesidefestival.co.uk, or follow SouthTynesideEvents on Facebook and @stynesideevents on twitter.
