Thousands join festival parade

TEN days of art, music, theatre, talks, walks and comedy got off to a spectacular start with thousands lining the streets for Macclesfield’s Barnaby Parade.

The much-loved parade was spectacle of costume, colour and creativity as groups from across Macclesfield brought their interpretation of the Roots/Routes theme to the streets of the town.

More than 600 people congregated around ten floats for the event that was months in the making and marked the start of the ten-day festival which runs until Sunday, June 24.

Artistic director John Hartshorn said he was amazed at the ‘resource- fulness and imagination’ of all those who interpreted the Roots/Routes theme for this year.

He said: “We’ve been having parade workshops every Tuesday since January with dozens of different groups creating the costumes and generating ideas for the parade.

“There were thousands on the streets watching the parade and there was a genuine carnival atmosphere. It was split into four sections based on the theme.

“There was a section based on Macclesfield Forest and one highlighting the town’s history of dissent and protest, with many dressed as Suffragettes to mark the centenary of women getting the vote.

“Another section of the parade celebrated the Silk Road and the area’s long textile history while the final section was several other variations of the theme such as gardeners and market traders showing some root vegetables.

“We were particularly happy that people from Macclesfield Pride took part in the parade for the first time this year.”

Festival director Mary Martinez said Barnaby had got off to a ‘ flying start’. She said: “The town was packed on Saturday and it was lovely to hear the cheering and clapping as the parade passed.

“We’re delighted with attendances at all the events.

“The James Taylor Quartet got the festival off to lovely musical start at a sold out event at St Michael’s Church on Friday and more than 200 attended the exhibition by Macclesfield digital light artists Zarah Hussain at the Silk Museum on Park Lane. That show is free to attend at goes on until June 24.”

Other events last weekend included Silhouette Art Trail created by Year 4 students at Parkroyal Community School, Year 3 students at Upton Priory School and street artist Richard Roberts.

Participants were invited to explore the trail of 110 silhouettes of Macclesfield’s iconic buildings, in shop windows, doorways, walls, and crevices throughout the town centre.

FOUR more days of festival fun ahead - see over.