Handmade Parade

One of the wonderful events that takes place annually in Hebden Bridge is the Handmade Parade. I featured it in 2018 (see HERE). It's a really colourful carnival. Local residents and children, guided by professional artists, make costumes and puppets in workshops beforehand and then there's a procession through the streets, with dancers and bands. It's delightful. 

During the Open Studios weekend, we were able to see for ourselves the 'factory' where the magic is created, a huge warehouse crammed with puppets, storyboards and craft supplies. 

The big puppets are made with willow frames, overlaid with wet-strength tissue papers and/or scrim, decorated with layers of coloured paper. They are real works of art - and the warehouse was full of them!  

Some of the birds are operated by bamboo poles that move their wings to simulate flight. 

The huge princess puppet glides on wheels and has several puppeteers to work her head and arms. 

Some of the creations are attached to bikes or wheels, like the sun below. 

The children involved usually wear costumes, facepaint and headdresses made from card. My granddaughters were 'Dodgem Dogs' one year, looking like puppies driving dodgem cars. Very clever. The dancers have more flowing costumes, with ribbons and feathers and some are kitted out in dramatic carnival costumes with hoops, wings and huge headdresses, reminiscent of the famous Notting Hill Caribbean Carnival in London. 

Such fun to see where the creations are made and stored - and the good news is that there will be a parade this year, after a Covid-induced hiatus of two years. I gather it will be a smaller affair and will re-use some of the previous costumes but I'm sure it will still be enormous fun, a happy and colourful spectacle.