A free family-friendly event will return with a literary twist next weekend as organisers celebrate the National Year of Reading.
The Longton Carnival and Pig Walk, which attracted around 30,000 visitors last year – is returning on Sunday, 26 April.
Now in its fourth year, the event will once again honour local heroes while introducing story-inspired elements created in partnership with organisations supporting children and young people.
Highlights include pupils from Clarice Cliff Co-op Academy bringing Peter Pan to life and Urban Wilderness CIC’s Teen Squad, presenting The Odyssey, featuring a handmade Trojan horse and Scylla the six-headed dragon. Other stories represented include Treasure Island and Alice in Wonderland.
All sections will feature costumes made by an international carnival company and worn by local volunteer performers.
Jenny Harper, co-director of organiser Urban Wilderness CIC, said: “We’re so excited to share the hard work of our Teen Squad and Creative Volunteers in bringing beloved childhood books to life as part of the National Year of Reading Pig Walk.
“Life is richer for the stories that we share, and the talent and energy the teenagers have put into building puppets for their Odyssey section has been a joy.”
The parade will set off at 3pm, with events in the town centre taking place between 10am and 4pm.
Stoke-on-Trent Literacy Trust will be hosting free family workshops in Longton’s Victorian Market and, as part of a wider outreach programme, 12 groups and more than 25 individual makers have created nearly 500 daisies, which will form a giant daisy chain installation across Longton.
The day’s programme also includes Warwick’s Fun Fair, Circus in a Box, Trentham Brass Band, City of Stoke-on-Trent Male Voice Choir, Art Brasil Carnival Drummers and 6 Towns Radio, with the parade led by local nu-marching band KiLNE.
Pottery painting workshops will take place at Kiln at Number 12 in Longton Exchange, while U7 Arts will host an after-party at their base in Sutherland Road. There will also be heritage film screenings by Staffordshire Film Archive in Longton Central Hall, and charity and community stalls featuring more than a dozen local organisations.
Co-director Isla Telford added: “The scale of this day is only possible through the strength of the community partnerships built through the shared purpose of bringing life back to Longton.”
Sponsors include BSN Group, Longton Exchange and Duchess China 1888 Ltd, which will provide free bookable factory tours.
Funding has also been provided by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund via the UK Government and Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Stoke Creates and the National Lottery Community Fund.
The full programme and further information can be found here.
