STORM clouds lifted just in time on Saturday (9 March) to ensure there was no raining on the much anticipated Tameside Lantern Parade – which was a spectacular success.
Crowds took to the streets of Denton to enjoy the colourful carnival of dancing, drums, puppets, stiltwalkers, live music and of course lanterns.
Local families and school children – who had taken part in lantern making workshops – also took part in the parade, which paid homage to Denton’s historic hatting industry.
It culminated in a fantastic festival performance in Victoria Park, which had been illuminated with colourful lights for the evening.
The parade – staged by Tameside Council working with Global Grooves following a successful bid for Arts Council funding – had been rescheduled after the original event, due to be held in December, was postponed because of adverse weather.
Tameside Civic Mayor Cllr Denise Ward, who led the parade alongside Executive Leader Cllr Brenda Warrington, Andrew Gwynne MP and local councillors, said: “What a fabulous, magical event – not least because the storms lifted for long enough this time for everyone to come along and enjoy it. The parade was brilliant as was the atmosphere and community spirit – thank you to everyone who got involved and joined us.”