Hebden Bridge Web

Lamplighter Festival set to dazzle Calder Valley

Thursday, 22 October 2015

The Calder Valley will be treated to a fire and light extravaganza when the Lamplighter Festival returns to Todmorden next month.

Hebden Bridge based Handmade Parade have announced that the Lamplighter Festival will take place on Saturday November 28 with the lantern parade kicking off proceedings at 6pm and a host of fire shows, illuminated installations and street theatre taking place from 7-9pm.

Lamplighter Festival 2013 - Photo: Craig Shaw of Blu Planet Photography

Hundreds of people from Hebden Bridge are expected to attend the open lantern making workshops which will begin on November 14 and organisers are appealing for volunteers to help make the festival a night to remember. Anyone who can help out at the open workshops, help artists create fabulous lantern creations or help on November 28 with preparations, carrying art in the parade or stewarding should email volunteer@handmadeparade.co.uk

The festival will feature a host of local talent including fire-performers, street bands and street performers. There will also be an open call for mini-commissions for two local artists to make new illuminated installations.

Lamplighter Festival 2013, Photo: Ian Hodgson

Andrew Kim, Artistic Director of Handmade Parade said, "We're thrilled to be able to bring Lamplighter back! It's going to be a day packed with Todmorden at its finest: locally produced arts and activities, crafts, music, street performances and of course giant lantern puppets! With the mini-commissions, we're looking forward to new artists joining us to light up the town - it's going to be magic!"

It will be a busy day for Todmorden with Kidsfest taking place in the Town Hall, the Christmas Lights being switched on, the Made in Tod Christmas market and a late-night Todmorden market.

Lamplighter Festival 2013, Photo: Ian Hodgson

The previous two Lamplighter festivals proved a huge hit with the thousands who watched and took part. The event followed on from the success of the Valley of Lights festival which boosted the Calder Valley after the floods in 2012.

This year's Lamplighter Festival has been made possible with funding from Todmorden Town Council, Calderdale Council, Arts Council England and Todmorden Pride.