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Hebden Bridge Handmade Parade
When puppet and mask artist, Andrew Kim and colleagues first proposed the Handmade Parade, there was doubt and sceptism about whether it could be made to happen. The Arts Festival would not initially give it their support. Yet organisers persevered and created a wonderful spectacle.
"Hebden Bridge has never seen the like" was how the HebWeb reported the first Parade in 2008. "The Hebden Bridge Handmade Parade danced through Hebden Bridge town centre on Saturday 19 July 2008, to conclude at Calder Holmes Park, at the World on Your Doorstep Festival."
Following the success of this first Parade, everyone supported the Parade happening each year which it did - until 2019. Since then, Covid and funding shortages have meant that the only Parade so far in the 2020s was in September 2022. But it's back for 2025!
Workshops
The spectacular creations for the parade are, for the most part, designed and put together in open public workshops in the weeks leading up to the parade. These workshops, led by a team of professional parade artists and volunteers, provide ideas, skills and materials for children and adults to make their own parade costumes, banners, puppets and carryable parade art.
Two rules
To keep this parade a community-based, non-commercial handmade parade, the Hebden Bridge Handmade Parade has two rules: no written words or logos and no motorised vehicles.
HebWeb photo galleries of
all previous years of the Parade
HebWeb Photos: 2022: "The fact of the parade being in late September on a day of dull Autumn weather didn't prevent the crowds turning out in full force. A good new touch was the team of young unicyclists who cycled up and down to give the crowds an early taster, followed by the offbeat jazz band. After 3 years, this was definitely the event to lift spirits, and to bring smiles to the faces of all who watched and took part."
Above: HebWeb Photos 2019 - 40+ more photos
HebWeb Photos 2018 "The 2018 Handmade Parade was as colourfully creative as ever. With warm June sunshine, blue skies and our town full of smiling faces of all ages, it was another great success." (HebWeb)
HebWeb Photos 2017 - "The Handmade Parade continues to improve every year, building upon all the crazy parades which have gone before. And the crowds get bigger, more colourful and more astonished." (HebWeb) See 2017 news report
Handmade Parade 2016
HebWeb Photos 2016 - "Flood sirens sounded in Hebden Bridge on Sunday but this time heralding not the dread of floodwater but the deluge of music, fun and creativity that is The Handmade Parade. The streets were flooded with joy when six months to the day, the Handmade Parade celebrated the community spirit which has seen the town get back on its feet after the floods." (HebWeb) See 2016 report.
HebWeb Photos 2015 - "Hebden Bridge was vibrant and energised by Sunday's Handmade Parade, with thousands lining our sunny streets to watch all sorts of colourful and wonderful creations soar above their heads." (HebWeb) See report
HebWeb Photos 2014 "Another superb Handmade Parade! Hundreds took part with their wonderful costumes and creations. Thousands watched with smiles and amazement in the June sunshine. Around 700 intrepid explorers brought Hebden Bridge to a standstill on Sunday as the Handmade Parade's Endangerous Expedition roared through the streets in a riot of colour, creativity and noise." Read report
See Parade website for more info