Groups to be taught how to make parade floats
South Tyneside CouncilPeople are being given the chance to create floats for an event which marks the start of the South Tyneside festival.
The Summer Parade – which will take place on Saturday 5 July – attracts hundreds of participants, as well as thousands more who line the route.
This year, schools and community groups will be taught to build floats and large theatrical pieces by artist Chris Folwell.
Claire Finlay from art organisation The Cultural Spring said it was the first time the parade had taught people how to build the structures but it would be a great way to develop people's talents.
"We have had a lot of interest from groups which haven't been involved before, which is fantastic to see and we are really delighted that they want to take part," she said.
One of the new participants is Waythough, an LGBTQ+ youth group, which will be working closely with the Cultural Spring's artists.
Other firsts include the group Autism Able, which will be working with Kenyan dancer, Rapasa, to make recycled instruments and learn Kenyan songs and dances.
South Tyneside CouncilThe theme of this year's parade is sustainability and participants have been collecting items such as bottle caps and plastic bags to use in the celebration.
The recycled materials will be used to create giant puppets, which will be showcased during the parade.
"We will hopefully also be able to use these structures again in some way at events like the winter parade or next summer, so we're really showing how committed we are to recycling and reusing," Ms Finlay said.
A float celebrating South Tyneside being twinned with Epinay sur Seine will also be created by Epinay School at Nevison Avenue.
This year marks 60 years of South Tyneside being twinned with the French town, which was originally twinned with Jarrow in 1964.
South Tyneside Council's lead member for culture, leisure and visitor economy, Judith Taylor, said the Summer Parade was the "epitome of community spirit".
"It celebrates and showcases the wonderful groups we have here in South Tyneside and brings them together in the most spectacular way," she said.
"I can't wait to see their creations on parade."