Come and take part in the 11th Yardley Hastings Lantern Parade, the first under the management of Route Canal Arts. This year’s theme is titled ‘Iluminar el cielo’, which will look at the magical time of Winter and the traditions that are celebrated around December, such as Las Posadas (Central America) and Yule, the Winter Solstice and their connections with Christmas.

Parade day - Friday 29 November

12pm – 5pm Making and preparation for the parade
5.30pm Gathering and line up at Yardley Arts
6pm Parade moves off around the village/carol singing at the sheltered housing
6.45pm – 7pm Parade arrives at Yardley Arts
7pm Large lanterns on display, parade disperses, carol singing, mulled wine and mince pies inside the Art Centre

All participants should wrap up warm and wear sensible walking shoes.

Can you help? Volunteers wanted

The parade requires approx. 10+ volunteers/stewards to help with the parade and road closure. It goes round several public roads in the village of Yardley Hastings. The front and back of the parade will have one or two stewards and a vehicle with their hazard light to protect from oncoming traffic.

Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 November help is needed to make/complete a large sculptural Las Posadas 9-pointed star or a carol singer puppet lanterns.

Friday 29 November between 3pm and 5.30pm help is needed to set out lanterns for the parade.

Friday 29 November between 5.30pm and 8pm we also need help serving mince pies and mulled wine.

Please get in touch if you’d like to get involved. Email simon@routecanalarts.org.uk