The theme for the 2015 Children’s Parade is ‘taking flight’

Be part of the largest annual children’s event in the UK and join the thousands of spectators along Brighton’s streets to cheer on those taking part.

The theme of ‘taking flight’ for the 2015 Children’s Parade was announced in November 2014 by Brighton Dome, Brighton Festival and award-winning community arts organisation Same Sky;  be the flight of birds, those flights of fancy, the process of flying or the act of leaping into the unknown.

Taking place on Saturday 2 May 2015, the annual parade marks and officially launches the start of Brighton Festival 2-24 May 2015 England’s largest multi-arts festival, supported by local businesses Class of their Own and Riverford.  This year’s guest director is the award winning author Ali Smith and there will be three weeks of unrivalled and varied outdoor live performances and art installations across the city and beyond. Attended by community groups from across the region and almost 5,000 children from 83 schools the parade demonstrates the community’s awesome creativity with costumes specifically designed and made for the event.

A different imaginative theme is celebrated each year. Previous years have seen participants dress up as books, Brighton street names and mermaids as well as The Planet and World Food.

Around 10,000 people come along to see the parade and for over 25 years the Children’s Parade has opened the Brighton Festival, with a vibrant procession of dance, drama and fun for the whole city to watch.

Pippa Smith, Head of Creative Learning, Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival says:

‘Taking flight symbolises the many imaginative leaps and creative flights of fancy that teachers, parents and children invest in the Children’s Parade each year. This year we will be exploring everything from Pegasus to phantom jets and sparrows to spaceships.’

‘Taking inspiration from Brighton Festival 2015 Guest Director Ali Smith’s deep fascination with birds and other migratory patterns, the leading section will represent the huge variety of bird life that exist on our planet, while subsequent sections will represent flying machines, flight, fantasy and fable and Bugs, bees and butterflies.’

For further information on the festival visit www.brightonfestival.org

Visit www.brightonfringe.org for information on all shows, including the outdoor elements of Fringe City.

Click here for Children’s Parade facebook page.