Stacksteads Countryside Park Group will hold its ninth lantern parade on Saturday, October 17, with a fire and water theme, bringing together residents from across Rossendale and beyond. The free event includes four lantern-making workshops led by artist Ruth Evans and her volunteers at Globe Arts, Toll Bar Mill, every Saturday from September 19 to October 10, 11am to 3pm.
Free Workshops and Community Participation
Adults and children can design and make their own willow lanterns, which are covered, decorated, and illuminated with battery-operated lights. The workshops are open to all, with no prior experience needed. Rachel Taylor, parade co-ordinator, said: "I have been involved with the lantern parade since it started and, as my interest in arts has developed, I have become more active in producing lanterns and working alongside Ruth Evans."
Taylor added: "It is very busy in the workshops with lots of people and it is really nice to see parents coming in with their children and although their children do art in school often, for the parents, it is the first time they have done art since they were at school. This year I have stepped up to also co-ordinate the parade."
Parade Details and Attractions
The procession will start from the car park of Toll Bar Mill, with Clare Di Murro dressed as a jellyfish to bring the theme to life. Plans also include a human phoenix. Amber Faces will provide free glitter face paints at the start point. Rossendale Drum Majorettes will provide musical accompaniment, and potatoes and refreshments will be handed out when the parade concludes back at the Toll Bar car park.
Clare Di Murro commented: "I moved here about three years ago and I didn’t know anything about Stacksteads Countryside Park Group, then a friend put me in touch with them." She also noted her love for the group's free fruit and veg on Stacksteads Recreation Ground, where she volunteers on Sunday sessions.
History and Funding
The parade started in 2015, paused during Covid when kits were given out for people to make lanterns at home, and resumed in 2022 as 'Light up the Valley', growing in size each year. The event is funded by grants from Grantscape (administering Reaps Moss Wind Farm funds), Rossendale Borough Council, Lancashire County Council Culture and Sport Fund, the Community Foundation for Lancashire, a Lancashire County Council Local Members Grant, and the Mayor of Rossendale's Charity Fund.
Organisers are appealing for more marshals to ensure safe road use and route following. Those interested can contact Stacksteads Countryside Park Group via Facebook. The parade route will wind through the streets of Stacksteads and along Riverside Park, with workshops held at Globe Arts, Toll Bar Mill, Stacksteads.
