How did it go?
On Sunday 17th November 2024, Eye village embraced a second Lantern Parade, not even a rainy downpour and chilly temperatures could keep people away. Around 400 people walked in the parade with around 300 handmade lanterns, which many of them had made in either public workshops, or with community groups like Eye Primary school, St Matthew’s Church, the Brownies, Guides and Rainbows. Some of the paraders also returned with lanterns they had made in 2022. There was every type of lantern from T-Rex’s, SpongeBob square pants, Scissors to Trains.
Another 400 people watched the parade from the pavements, their front gardens and bedroom windows. Waving and cheering as the parade passed.
Light Whale International, (formally La Septima) worked with the village to create the narrative, characters and the big lanterns that were at the heart of the parade. They also brought to life many of the stories and memories from Eye’s recent working-class history and industry. Whether that was a mobile tandem train with smoke which rode along the streets, or the large Eye Monster that needed to be fed bricks.
It was great to welcome back Pig Dyke Molly dancers and Bright Lights who brought their talents to the parade. And this year we also had the talents of Box of Frogs who provided the drumming and Peterborough United Rugby players who pulled the Eye Monster along the route.
We just wanted to say a huge thanks to everyone who helped this year. This included everyone that made a lantern and walked with it in soggy conditions. To those people who lent us trailers, tractors and tandems. To our huge team of volunteers who looked after everyone. To all the venues, groups and people we have worked with.
Would you like to share your feedback of the event?
We hope you had as much fun as we did. Whether you came along and watched or whether you took part in some way, we would LOVE to hear about your experience of the parade.
Please can you spare us 3-5 mins to leave some anonymous feedback? It really helps us refine our future programmes and ensures we are able to make sure what we deliver is even more of what you want and meets the needs of the local communities and the real people within them.
Take a look at some of the photographs…
