Today was a beautiful day for the Basingstoke Festival Parade, which marks the start of the Basingstoke Festival for music and the arts. A few weeks ago, I caught glimpses of a giant mechanical bird and several children in costume on a rainy day in Basingstoke. This marked the start of the Basingstoke Festival Programme, and this afternoon was the Basingstoke Festival Parade, which is the official kick-off of the festival. Basingstoke Festival has taken place for the last four years and features nearly a month of live music in Basingstoke's park and squares, live theatre, dance, walks, concerts, museum exhibitions, events for children, craft-making, comedy at some of Basingstoke's venues, street markets, and so much more.
I was able to catch the excitement in town this afternoon. I don't often get to blog about the town that I have been living for the past eight years in.
First of all, I went to Eastrop Park to catch the start of the parade. This is where the paraders were lining up. I don't live far from there, and it is always a nice place to walk with trees, flowers, a stream, and boating lakes with paddling boats for hire.
The parade started in Eastrop Park and the route went around Festival Place (where it met a giant turtle) and on to the "top of town" (as it's known) to Market Square. In Market Square, those participating in the parade danced in the square. Music was also performed, and later on was a DJ and silent disco.
Stopped for a dance in the underpass
The musical turtle joins the parade
Dancing on Wote Street
At the Market Square, all of the groups and the schools had a dance and a chance to be in the spotlight. A group played the drums and there was also a band.
The Tea Bar had a pop-up cocktail stand to sell drinks in the square too. I'd previously visited Tea Bar, a business at the top of town.
After the DJs, the silent disco was set to take place in the square. They had a nice evening for it and a nice and warm afternoon for the parade.
Wote Street after the parade
This begins the month-long Basingstoke Festival. Tomorrow evening, I'm actually meeting up with a couple of friends to go to Wagamamma's, followed by a wine-tasting event, and then to a Spanish classical music concert by Basingstoke Symphony Orchestra in the local theatre (the Anvil). All of these events are a part of the Basingstoke Festival. For more information about Basingstoke Festival, visit the official website at: http://www.basingstokefestival.co.uk
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