Horsham Children's Parade is set to bring the streets alive again with a riot of vibrant colour and joyous music on Sunday 3 July 2022, as children from Horsham District schools and organisations showcase creations and costumes made in school workshops with professional community artists.
The theme for this year’s parade is ‘Natural Wonders’ and features three sections: Earth, Water and Sky. Schools have interpreted a subject to represent either positive activism, endangered species, mighty mini beasts, celebrating Britain, or the regenerative power of nature. Expect to see whales, tigers, trees, bees, and even neon plankton!
The carnival atmosphere will be taken to the max with infectious beats and rhythms, provided by Horsham’s Boom Tribe and other music groups to get paraders and audiences dancing in the street.
Commenting on the first event held in 2019, Cllr Jonathan Chowen, current leader of Horsham District Council, said: “This was a truly joyous community event for Horsham.”
Aleida Strowger, Founder of Community Arts Organisation, Happy Accidents, who organise the project, said: “It feels so great to be able to do this again, after it had to be postponed in 2020 and 2021. It is a pleasure and privilege to work with our amazingly enthusiastic Horsham District schools and with Same Sky, the production and creative engine behind the parade. Everyone works extremely hard to ensure that this is a well-organised, fun and inspiring event.
“At the inaugural parade in 2019, hundreds of people lined the route to wave and cheer the parade on from its start at Denne Road, along East and West Street, through the Carfax and up North Parade where it entered and ended at Horsham Park – we’re looking forward to seeing the same community spirit this year.
“Massive thanks to our sponsors Gatwick Airport and Saxon Weald and our supporters Arts Council England and Horsham District Council whose belief in the project and its incredible value to the schools and the wider community has made it possible.”
Melanie Wrightson, Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Gatwick Airport said: “We are delighted to be able to support the Horsham Children’s Parade and the workshops leading up to the main event. It’s fantastic news for the area that community activities such as these are now returning and Gatwick Airport is excited to be part of it.”
After the parade, which ends at Horsham Park at midday, there are plans for a selection of free activities set to take place later in the afternoon. More information on these and the Horsham Children’s Parade will be released via facebook.com/horshamchildrensparade and twitter.com/HappyAccts soon.
If you’d like to be a part of Horsham Children’s Parade, or provide an activity in the park, contact Aleida at wearehappyaccidents@gmail.com.
