Rotherham to Welcome Puppet That’s Taller Than Double-decker Bus in Colourful Parade and Celebration in Rotherham Town Centre.
Meet the amazing five-meter mechanical puppet Farrah the Fox this Easter as she is welcomed by Reign of the waterways in a magical street carnival coming to Rotherham town centre on Saturday 13th April, 2024.
‘Roots – Rotherham Street Carnival’ will run from 11am until 4pm and feature a day of live music and activities for all the family to enjoy.
Festivities and performances start in All Saints Square at 11am with entertainment and bands to build the excitement for the puppets’ arrival.
Reign, the Spirit of the River Don, is an embodiment of Rotherham’s heritage and spirit. Farrah the Fox, taller than a double-decker bus, is a wise guardian of the woodlands.
Together Farrah and Reign will travel from Rotherham Minster, setting off at 1pm towards High Street, along Effingham Street, Frederick Street and finishing in All Saints Square in the heart of Rotherham town centre.
Along the route, the puppets will be accompanied by dancers, artists and “creatures of the river”, bringing people together in this colourful parade.
This will include walking performances and displays by Breakout Arts, Rotherham Dance Centre, Grimm & Co, Rotherham BMX, Clifton Partnership and a Samba Band, amongst others.
As the puppets weave through the streets they will be met by people and groups which make Rotherham great, bearing banners, flags, streamers, costumes and masks.
The event has been devised by Historic England and Emergency Exit Arts with artistic director, Manuela Benini, in partnership with Rotherham Council and various arts organisations.
Farrah the Fox is a nation-wide commissioned puppet with Emergency Exit Arts and the culmination of Historic England’s major cultural programme across England’s high streets, supported using public funding by Arts Council England.
Rotherham Council’s Creative Programming and Events Manager Amy Lilley said: “This is sure to be a fantastic event for all the family and is part of our town centre programme of events which regularly take place on Saturdays throughout the year.
“The event also celebrates Rotherham’s rivers and canals which have a key part to play in Rotherham town centre, particularly with the opening of Forge Island this Summer. Together with a celebration of our high streets, this event will help to put a sense of pride back into Rotherham town centre.”
Roots – Street Carnival is brought to you by Rotherham Council and partners.
All Rotherham Council events can be found at www.rotherham.gov.uk/events
A regular programme of Rotherham Town Centre events can be found on the Rotherham Town Centre website at https://www.rotherhamtowncentre.co.uk/homepage/27/saturday-events