HULL : St Stephens Hosts An Extraordinary Parade Day

Following the success of the Extraordinary Orchard Park Parade last Saturday – which saw over 1,000 people take to the estate to witness a From Air Land and Sea, Tales of the Nautical North themed procession – St Stephens is bringing a flavour of the parade to the city centre this Saturday.

The Extraordinary Orchard Park Parade was funded by Hull UK City of Culture 2017’s Creative Communities Programme, which is being delivered in partnership with the Big Lottery Fund. Now St Stephens, one of Hull UK City of Culture 2017’s Business Club Partners, has provided additional funding to showcase the hard work of Orchard Park residents further.

The Extraordinary Orchard Park Parade, a collaboration between Handmade Parade, Hull Carnival Arts and Rag and Bone, was the culmination of six week’s work by over 300 residents who made costumes, learnt to stilt walk and brought puppets to life. These local people, along with Hull Samba and artists from Hull Carnival Arts will be sharing their skills and artwork at St Stephens between 11am – 3.30pm on Saturday 13th May with a mini parade at 2.30pm.

Jo Lorenz, St Michaels Youth Project Manager says: “The Extraordinary Orchard Park Parade has created a really lovely buzz on the estate and pride in the local area, we’re thrilled to be able to show the city centre some of what’s been achieved.”

The extra funding from St Stephens has enabled the project’s legacy to grow and is also being used to develop links between Handmade Parade and keen local people who have been involved in the Extraordinary Orchard Park Parade project. Exchanges are being set up, so that key volunteers can come and visit Handmade Parade’s base in Hebden Bridge, where their annual parade in June attracts around 1000 participants each year.

Handmade Parade’s lead artist Kerith Ogden explained: “Strengthening the connection between us and Hull based people involved in the Extraordinary Orchard Park Parade is an important way to develop the enthusiasm and ability of local people to make future arts projects happen in Hull’.

St Stephens centre manager, Jim Harris said: “We are very pleased to be involved in this exciting City of Culture project and very much look forward to seeing a version of the Extraordinary Parade at St Stephens on 13th May. I know the organisers and residents of Orchard Park have worked incredibly hard to put this spectacle together, and I am certain visitors will appreciate seeing this in the city centre at St Stephens.” 

From 11am on Saturday 13th May there will be drop in craft activities at St Stephens where anyone can come along and make parade artworks. From 12pm live samba performances will pop up around the centre, and at 2.30pm a parade featuring a small selection of the costumes and puppets from the Extraordinary Orchard Park Parade will promenade through St Stephens. Anyone who has made something earlier in the day, or already taken part in the Extraordinary Orchard Park Parade is welcome to come down to St Stephens for 2pm to get ready for the parade at 2.30pm.