The idea
This Halloween, Sunderland’s Business Improvement District (BID) will be working alongside Stellar Projects to create a Community Lantern Parade. The parade will be formed by local community groups, schools, dance schools, bands and residents who will be brought together to parade the streets to bring the city to life in light.
Before the event, participants will take part in creative activity by participating in workshops led by talented artists to create amazing lanterns for the parade, giving local communities of all ages and abilities the chance to form new friendships and to share and learn new skills.
We want to give local community groups the opportunity to be involved in an activity that they might not normally have the chance to take part in, and to be able to come together to meet other community groups and experience a fun celebration for Halloween.
What we'll deliver
- Engagement with community groups and schools
- Supporting local artists
- Lantern making workshops
- Delivery of the parade
Why it's a great idea
This project is fully accessible and provides opportunities for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to get involved.
Local communities will benefit from access to free lantern-making workshops where they will be able to learn new skills. They will also be encouraged to work together and socialise, helping to reduce loneliness and exclusion within our society.
Residents of Sunderland will be encouraged to come to the event and support their communities. At the same time, they will be able to join the parade, spend some quality time with their families and pay local businesses a visit before and after the event, boosting the economy. The evidence from 2019 and 2021 shows that people use the city centre businesses before and after the event.
We also work closely with Sunderland College to get students involved in the parade. Some students decide to develop their skills in design, dancing or music, and others gain experience in event management by helping deliver the event.
Steps to get it done
- Engaging with local communities and schools
- Communicating with artists and performers
- Delivering lantern making workshops
- Creating the lanterns and bigger structures
- Establishing the parade route
- Delivery of the parade
