The Parade will bring together many different faiths and ethnicities, through workshops delivered to a variety of community groups. Artists will lead the workshops where the parade’s floats, light art and lanterns are created. We will engage young people, aged 7 to 18 years old, through workshops, allowing them to experience digital technologies and an opportunity to get creative with recycled materials. All floats will either be handheld or attached to upcycled bike trailers. The process of creating artworks for public projects empowers young people helping them grow in confidence. Skills such as teamwork, creativity and engineering. This project grows civic pride for all through creating a spectacular public arts event for all.

What we'll deliver:

• A Parade of Light through Chelmsford Streets on 11th Nov
• Workshops for local people to get involved in creating the pieces of work
• Volunteer Opportunities for people to steward the event
• Create imaginative lanterns and floats using technologies and recycled materials

Why it's a great idea:

- Giving people the opportunity to come together and create pieces of Art for Public use is an inspiring experience which can change people's concept of what they can achieve. It's empowering - Chelmsford's diverse creative scene can come together to make something magical. - The Parade can become an annual event and grow civic pride. - The Light Parade gives Artists a chance to work on something collaboratively.

Steps to get it done:

• Night of the Parade 11th November
• Workshops Take Place - Throughout October every Saturday at the Ideas Hub in Chelmsford Central Library
• Artists engaged to run workshops
• Publicity Materials for the Parade are created and distributed
• Ideas development with local creatives
• Community groups are engaged and invited to the workshops that will take place in October
• Dates are confirmed for workshops
• Risk Assessments for route in place
• Volunteers briefed on project and taken through safeguarding training.
• Rehearsal of route of the parade.

This project will: - Help us grow a new strong partnership with ethnic minority groups. - Help households reduce waste by giving them an opportunity and instructions on how to create a lantern or lit object to take on the parade. We will create video tutorials which will be shared on social media and on our website which show how to create a simple recycled lantern. Objects that will be recycled are umbrellas that don’t work and a mixture of plastic bottle types. - Bring people together and promote community cohesion. - Give people an Arts project that is truly accessible. - Give Artists in Chelmsford an opportunity to come together to create great work and work collectively. - Give people who are interested in Arts and Culture an opportunity to gain experience in community arts projects. - Allow BME groups to access High-Quality Arts projects. - Be a celebration of our diverse City!