News & Media
2nd June 2017
Port supports South Tyneside Festival
The Port of Tyne is to lend its support to a spectacular community event in South Tyneside this summer, sponsoring this year's eagerly-awaited Summer Parade. The parade is one of the key highlights in the Borough's hugely popular South Tyneside Festival.
The Once Upon a Time themed parade, on Saturday 1 July, will take visitors on an enchanting journey of adventure through the streets of South Tyneside. It will celebrate the magic and wonder of stories and bring to life an array of classic characters from some of the world's best loved children's books, from Cinderellaand Peter Pan to the Jungle Book and Hansel and Gretel.
Councillor Alan Kerr, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council, with responsibility for Culture and Leisure, said: "The Summer Parade really is a special event. It is much loved by residents and visitors alike and every year attracts thousands of participants from across our communities and crowds of spectators who line the route.
"We are delighted to have the Port of Tyne on board for our Summer Parade extravaganza. It is thanks to businesses like the Port that we are able to run such high profile events that prove to be a huge hit year on year and bring a real sense of vibrancy and excitement to the town.
"Once again, this year's Summer Parade will be an unmissable event and we are pulling out all the stops to make it the biggest and boldest carnival in the north east."
Preparations for the Summer Parade are gathering pace as the Creative Seed, the local creative production company directing this year's event, continues to work with community groups on creating fabulous costumes, colourful props and extravagant decorations.
Fairy tale creatures, courageous heroes and beautiful princesses are just some of the colourful characters that will feature in the parade alongside vibrant floats, marching bands, stilt walkers, puppets and dance troupes.
The parade leaves South Shields Town Hall at 1pm, travelling along Fowler Street and Ocean Road to Bents Park, where the family friendly entertainment will continue with an afternoon of live music and storytelling themed activities.
Gillian Scott, Port of Tyne Marketing and Communications Officer said the Port is delighted to be offering its support for the parade.
"We hope that as many people as possible take the opportunity to be involved."
The Summer Parade, which is also being supported by Arts Council England and BBC Newcastle, forms part of a wider programme of free live music, entertainment and activities making up the three-month-long South Tyneside Festival 2017.
Other highlights including the legendary Sunday Concerts in July - KT Tunstall (9 July), Busted (16 July), Louisa Johnson, plus 5 after Midnight and Jedward (23 July) and Sister Sledge (30 July) - Proms in the Park on Sunday 2 July, Kids Fun-Fest parties in August.
For further details about South Tyneside Festival go to www.southtynesidefestival.co.uk, search for South Tyneside Events on Facebook, follow STynesideEvents on Twitter or call South Tyneside's Visitor Information Centre on (0191) 424 7788.
For further information please contact:
Lisa Donohoe, Public Relations Manager
Tel: +44 (0)191 455 2671 Mobile: +44 (0)79123 90777
