‘our planet, our city’ theme for Manchester day
ANNUAL EVENT FOCUSES ON CLIMATE EMERGENCY
MANCHESTER Day will shine a spotlight on the climate emergency with an Our Planet, Our City theme for this year’s parade.
Thousands of people take part in the annual procession, watched by thousands more who line the streets to see the colourful spectacle.
Manchester council has issued a call-out to community groups, volunteers and organisations to get involved in this year’s celebrations.
Coun Pat Karney, chairman of Manchester Day, said: “Manchester Day is always the most incredible spectacle, a true celebration of our city, its people and our cultures. Over the last decade we have made thousands of Manchester people the stars of the show with tens of thousands looking on from the crowd.
“This is your chance to get involved with the show of the summer and I’d urge as many groups to sign up as possible. It will be the highlight of your year.
“This year’s theme will tackle one of the challenges of our times: climate change. Sustainability has always been an important part of the celebration, but it’s time we brought this conversation front and centre – and what better platform than Manchester Day?”
The parade has had a no combustion engine rule since it began 11 years ago. Floats, artworks and props are all walked, pushed, pulled and danced through the city centre, costumes are all handmade and many of the large structures are reused each year to limit waste.
Liz Pugh, co-founder and executive creative director of Walk the Plank, which produces the event, said: “With its people-powered, cycled, re-cycled and up-cycled approach, Manchester Day has always had sustainability at its heart from the very start.
“But this year’s theme gives everyone taking part the chance to create an even more powerful response to the issue of climate change. We’re excited to see how artists and community groups, in collaboration with Dan, help the people of Manchester make a bold and imaginative statement about climate change as they parade through the city’s streets.”
Manchester council declared a climate emergency last summer, pledging to put sustainability at the heart of all its decision-making and look at whether its carbon neutral target of 2038 could be brought forward. But campaigners claimed last month that the authority has achieved ‘virtually nothing’ since then.
Manchester Day takes place on Sunday, June 21, from 1pm to 6pm.
Alongside the parade, there will be an afternoon of family-friendly activities, including outdoor theatre, music and dance, throughout the city centre. ● To apply to take part, visit manchesterday.co.uk/ participate-perform. The deadline is Monday, February 10.