Rotherham Town Centre

Saturday 13 April, 11am until 4pm.

Parade sets off from Rotherham Minster at 1pm.

Meet Farrah the Fox, an amazing five meter high mechanical puppet, as she is welcomed by Reign of the waterways in this magical street carnival.

Taller than a double-decker bus, Farrah the Fox will be accompanied by dancers, artists and “creatures of the river”, bringing people together in this colourful parade.

Roots – Rotherham Street Carnival is brought to you by Rotherham Council and partners and will feature a day of live music and activities for all the family to enjoy.

The theme for the event is ‘Nature and Environment’, with a particular focus on Rotherham’s waterways and the River Don, as well as its surrounding landscape, including celebrating high streets.  

In the town of Rotherham, where the River Don flows, live two remarkable characters; Reign, a puppet symbolising our connection to nature and water, and Farrah the Fox, a wise guardian of the surrounding woodlands. 

Together Farrah and Reign will travel from Rotherham Minster at 1pm to the heart of Rotherham town centre.

As the puppets weave through the streets they will be joined by people and groups which make Rotherham great, bearing banners, flags, streamers, costumes and masks.

Festivities and performances start in All Saints Square at 11am with bands, dance groups and performers to build the excitement for the puppets’ arrival.

Groups joining the paraded include:

• Rotherham BMX group, wearing blue and green to fit in with the river theme

Performers at the event include:

• Breakout Arts will bring a short drama performance to introduce the importance of the waterways and keeping them safe and clean. They are using local history and characters from the past to introduce the parade alongside Reign.
• Music performances - Solo acts and groups will be invited to perform on the stage at All Saints Square before and after the parade. This is an opportunity that has stemmed from the Signals Call-out.

Workshops include:

• Recycled musical instruments, offering drop-in workshops making musical instruments using recycled materials such as shakers and rain sticks. The makers will then be invited to join in at the back of the parade to ensure music and sound is heard throughout.
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, bringing their bird puppets and  providing drop-in activities.
• Rotherham Council’s Climate Team, hosting creative and educational workshops.
• Don Catchment River Trust, with information around the River Don and  educational workshops.
• Tangled Dance Company, with workshops will explore the ‘Green Children of Woolpit myth’ from the 12th century and their visitation to/ impact on a group of modern-day young people disassociated from nature and suffering the effects of hyper-technology and identity crises.

Find out more

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