An enchanting river of lanterns will bring light to dark nights in Slaithwaite next month.
It will mark the culmination of the week-long Moonraking Festival, which is to celebrate its 30th year.
The milestone event is due to be more impressive than ever before thanks to specially commissioned ‘landmark’ models from artists who will join the moonraking procession from Huddersfield Narrow Canal on February 21.
These will include works from Karima Ellis, who came with her family to make lanterns at the festival in 1987 and has gone on to become one of the foremost lantern makers in the country, and founder of the festival Andy Burton who will realise his passion for Stonehenge in lantern form.
It is just one of the treats in store for revellers during a week long programme of events from February 15 to 21, which honour the old legend about a band of smugglers.
It was said they avoided arrest for fishing for barrels of rum hidden in the water at full moon, by claiming to be simply raking its reflection when challenged by authorities.
The festival was the idea of The Watershed Bridge Street-based Satellite Arts founders Gill Bond and Andy Burton, in partnership with Slaithwaite Playgroup, who wanted to bring people together during the mid winter.
A community association was then formed and was organised as a joint event until the Moonraking Organising Committee then became independent around the year 2000.
It is now made up of local individuals, representatives from other community groups and arts organisations and became a charity in 2013 and gets funding from Kirklees Council, the Arts Council and local sponsors.
Looking back on the longevity of the event, which has been held bi-annually 15 times, she said: “It makes me feel old but very proud.
“It’s a great achievement for everyone who has been involved over the years.
“The festival has always striven to change and develop, whilst keeping the lanterns procession and Moonraking enactment as the core of the event.
“It’s got bigger from the early days when we pulled the moon around on a horse and cart after raking it from the the Guillotine Bridge before the canal opened.
“Over the years we have added a storytelling programme, music workshops and performances and a Handmade Trail, celebrating the art of the handmade and artisan.”
The musical side of the event starts on Friday February 13 with Landmark Enochs Hammer Folk night and will be followed by daily workshops from Sunday February 15 at Slaithwaite Community Centre, a Satellite Arts performance on Wednesday February 18 and a performance by O’Hooley and Tidow on the 19th, which will take place at The Watershed.
Details of other events can be found at slaithwaitemoonraking.org.
