Festival coming to Rotherham will see giant puppet parade through the town

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Rotherham Town Centre is set to welcome a Puppet taller than Double-decker Bus in Colourful Parade

The Giant Fox, called Farrah will visit Rotherham town centre on Saturday 13^th April, 2024 as she travels across the country to visit high streets and the people who love and look after them.

‘Roots – Rotherham Street Carnival’ will run from 11am until 4pm and feature a day of live music and activities for all the family to enjoy.

Festivities and performances start in All Saints Square at 11am with entertainment and bands to build the excitement for the puppets’ arrival.

Reign, the Spirit of the River Don, is an embodiment of Rotherham’s heritage and spirit. Farrah the Fox, taller than a double-decker bus, is a wise guardian of the woodlands.

Together Farrah and Reign will travel from Rotherham Minster, setting off at 1pm towards High Street, along Effingham Street, Frederick Street and finishing in All Saints Square in the heart of Rotherham town centre.

Along the route, the puppets will be accompanied by dancers, artists and “creatures of the river”, bringing people together in this colourful parade.

As the puppets weave through the streets they will be met by people and groups which make Rotherham great, bearing banners, flags, streamers, costumes and masks.

The event has been devised by Historic England and Emergency Exit Arts with artistic director, Manuela Benini, in partnership with Rotherham Council and various arts organisations.

Farrah the Fox is a nation-wide commissioned puppet with Emergency Exit Arts and the culmination of Historic England’s major cultural programme across England’s high streets, supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

Rotherham Council’s Creative Programming and Events Manager Amy Lilley said: “This is sure to be a fantastic event for all the family and is part of our town centre programme of events which regularly take place on Saturdays throughout the year.

“The event also celebrates Rotherham’s rivers and canals which have a key part to play in Rotherham town centre, particularly with the opening of Forge Island this Summer. Together with a celebration of our high streets, this event will help to put a sense of pride back into Rotherham town centre.”