The UK’s largest puppet is set to tour the streets of Leicester later this month as part of a unique festival showcasing live performances, street arts and interactive fun.
City Festival 2022 takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend, offering a two-day programme packed with events, activities and attractions suitable for all ages and tastes.
The spectacle will take place at sites throughout the city centre including Humberstone Gate, Clock Tower, Jubilee Square, Church Gate, Town Hall Square and Green Dragon Square near Leicester Market.
A centrepiece of the spectacle will be the UK’s largest puppet – a folklore-styled towering 10-metre giant, which will tour the streets of the city centre accompanied by flashmob-styled performances and music along the route.
On Saturday, August 27, Storm’s journey begins at Town Hall Square at 12 noon, travelling to the Clock Tower where she will be met with sizzling samba rhythms from Leicester’s Sambando at 2.30pm, before a climatic performance by dancers from Studio 79 to mark the end of Storm’s journey at Jubilee Square at 3.55pm.
On Sunday, Storm’s route will see the colossus travelling from The Circle outside the Mattioli Woods Building in Welford Place, accompanied by the thunderous Japanese drumming of Leicester Taiko at 12 noon.
Indian dance company Nupur Arts will lead Storm to the farewell finale at the Clock Tower at 1.15pm, with a parade of ocean friends, showcasing Indian Classical, Bollywood and Indian Folk dance.
Throughout the Saturday and Sunday, there will also be a packed programme of interactive play, exploration and discovery, including an installation of multi-sensory hives, and the chance to step inside a giant silver whale.
“The City Festival is one of the most popular events in Leicester’s summer programme, and I’m delighted to see once again that it promises a packed programme of family-friendly fun in the heart of the city,” said Peter Soulsby, Leicester City Mayor.
“I hope people take advantage of what is on offer and enjoy the weekend.”
City Festival is the climax of Leicester’s Summer in the City season of events, which has also included The World Reimagined, Caribbean Carnival, National Play Day, Journey’s Festival, Belgrave Mela and the City Beach.
To find out more, visit: https://www.visitleicester.info/whats-on/city-festival-p842981?dm_i=4MPG,1DTWU,5OFCTK,6EFSZ,1
