Events to celebrate city's 100th anniversary

Thousands of people are set to turn out for three days of celebrations to mark Stoke-on-Trent's 100th anniversary.

King George V declared it a city on 5 June 1925 in recognition of the area's contribution to the pottery industry.

In honour of the occasion, the city council has made 5 June 2025 the inaugural Stoke-on-Trent Day, aimed at honouring the city's "rich history, vibrant culture and unique identity".

A number of events have been taking place throughout the year as part of the centenary, but the authority has singled out 5, 6 and 7 June as the main focus of the celebrations.

Keen cyclists have been encouraged to take part in a bike ride, which will take place in Hanley Park between 12:00 and 13:30 BST on Thursday.

It will follow the city's scenic China Trail, passing factories, potteries and museums, offering people a "poignant reminder" of the area's rich ceramic heritage.

The ride will be largely traffic-free and will be eight miles in total at a "relaxed pace". People must be over 16 years old to take part, and the group will meet at the park's bandstand before setting off.

As part of the celebrations, a music video about Stoke-on-Trent's history featuring the song Our Golden Age will be released on YouTube.

Recorded at Gladstone Pottery Museum by local folk duo Paul Walker and Karen Pfeiffer, it follows the stories of three men, Peter, Tom and Jack, who gave their hearts to the area's pottery, coal mining and steel works.

The song remembers the golden age of Stoke-on-Trent and laments how the city has lost some of its heart to the modern world.

An online watch party and video premiere will take place on YouTube at 18:00 on Thursday.

Pitched as the centrepiece of the centenary celebrations, The People's Parade will see hundreds of participants take to the streets of Hanley on Saturday.

Organisers said it would show the world what makes Stoke-on-Trent special by featuring large-scale puppets, costumes, live music, dancers and banners.

Isla Telford, from community group Stoke Creates, previously said the parade promised to be an "absolutely incredible" event.

"It's all hands on deck; there are things still in the process of being made. People are coming together from all over the city to bring this together, which is just an absolute joy to see," she said.

It will begin at 13:00, marching for 1.5 miles from College Road and through the city centre until finishing at Hanley Park.

The culmination of the celebrations will be Party in the Park – a free music festival taking place at Hanley Park on Saturday.

It will run alongside the People's Parade and into the evening, featuring street food stalls and performances from local music acts on a big stage.

It will include artists Levi Knapper, Dala Jade and Taylor Swift tribute act Bejeweled among others, while party-goers have been encouraged to bring picnics, chairs and blankets to "add to the festival atmosphere".

Councillor Lyn Sharpe, centenary champion at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said it would be part of a "truly amazing celebration".

"Our streets will come alive with pride, and Hanley Park will welcome the crowds with hours of free music and entertainment to keep the celebrations going," she added.

Alongside the Party in the Park, a free street party will be taking place on Piccadilly, Hanley, on Saturday from 14:00 to 23:00.

It promises eight hours of dance music "for all of the family" and will showcase the city's influence on the national dance music scene.

Among the special guests will be Norman Jay MBE, Colin Curtis, Pete Bromley, Lee Fredericks, Matt Erst, Kelvin Andrews and Joey T.

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