PREPARATIONS for the launch of this year’s Houghton Feast Festival are nearing completion and organisers hope the annual event will be bigger and better than ever.
Professional artists are working with children to make parade lanterns and will join the Houghton Feast Steering Group to put the finishing touches to next week’s opening ceremony.
The ancient festival has been running since the 12th Century as a two-day fair, which was extended to ten days in 1967.
It will run from October 8 to 17 in various locations across Houghton-le-Spring, combining a unique mix of traditional and modern activities that will bring together performances from community, voluntary and professionally-staged events.
Councillor Denny Wilson, Sunderland City Council’s portfolio holder for safer city and culture, said: “Visitors to this year’s celebrations are in for a real treat as the Broadway becomes an international carnival. It will be illuminated by dazzling lanterns representing countries around the world, which will mark the opening of the festival.”
The Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Thomas Martin, will officially open this year’s festival next Friday at 7pm.
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