First ever St Helens Day ‘Citizens’ Parade celebrates borough’s unsung heroes
As part of the St Helens 150 celebrations, arts organisation Heart of Glass will lead the borough’s first ever St Helens Day Citizens Parade featuring the Mayor with performance artist hosts Eggs Collective and local people on Saturday 30th June from 10.45am*.
The parade will honour the borough’s ‘hidden heroes’ – all nominated by local community groups. In the lead up to the event groups will be working to create banners and artworks** to represent their chosen heroes as part of a colourful family friendly procession.
Everyone is invited to join in the fun and soak up the atmosphere that will feature artwork, music, performances, an appearance from the new Mayor and Mayoress, and vintage vehicles from the North West Museum of Road Transport.
The procession begins in Victoria Square and culminates in Church Square where Eggs Collective will lead a mass karaoke session*** Prior to Wish FM introducing an afternoon of performances, face-painting, best dressed super-heroes and much more.
Patrick Fox, Director, Heart of Glass, said:
“The lifeblood of the St Helens is its people, many of whom we’ve had the privilege of getting to know over the last four years through our art projects. We’re been consistently blown away by the spirit and passion in the diverse communities. It felt essential, in this 150th anniversary year, to place the people of this town centre stage. We cannot wait to share more of what we have planned in the coming months. Watch this space!”
Leonie and Sara, Eggs Collective, said:
“We want this Citizens Parade to be a glittering celebration of St Helens: a place with a whip-smart sense of humour and a warm glint in its eye. We’re going to honour the everyday, unsung heroes who hold the community together with care, graft and an unwavering love for St Helens.”
Councillor Gill Neal, portfolio holder for Better Health and Cultural Development:
“Our 150 events have been important to us to mark the heritage and innovations that put St Helens on the map, and I am pleased that so many members of the local community came forward with their own events for people to join in across the borough.
“This is a particularly special event as St Helens Day allows us to celebrate the innovators in our borough who are our local heroes who volunteer to give something back to the community.
“I would like to thank every one of the groups who have come from every ward in the borough for the work they put in every day to support the local community in raising aspiration and ambition.”
Key info
*Saturday 30th June, 10.45am until 3pm (parade starts at 11am from TBC), FREE. Full parade route will be available at sthelens150.org.uk
**Visit our parade making workshop venue in the old Santander Bank on Church Street, St Helens town centre.
***FREE singing workshops to learn the parade song, and learn it on our Youtube channel here.
1) 16 June, Eggs Collective Make Noise in the Library, Parr Lane Library, 2pm, FREE, booking required
2) 19 June, Eggs Collective Make Noise in the Library, Chester Lane Library, 7pm, FREE, booking required
****Superhero fancy dress encouraged