HUNDREDS of people joined a procession through the streets of Slaithwaite to celebrate the traditional Moonraking Festival.
The festival theme was Wild about Wool, a logical theme for a valley so closely linked to the wool industry over the past two hundred years or so.
The Wild about Wool project started in October 2010, and it will run until October this year.
Lantern-making workshops were held throughout February, culminating with the Lantern Parade last Saturday.
The event was open to all at no charge, though this year, in view of the financial constraints, there was a bucket collection on the parade.
The festival is based on an 19th century legend arising from an incident when smugglers attempted to retrieve barrels of alcohol that they had dropped into the canal.
When they were confronted by local soldiers they claimed that the moon had fallen in the water and that they were raking it up.
Villagers assembled in the centre of Slaithwaite last weekend – the last Saturday of half term – with their lanterns, about 250 of them.
The Moon – around 2.5 metres tall – came floating down the canal on his Moon Barge, and was hoisted out on to dry land by a huge crane, to music and fireworks.
The Moon was then carried round the village by his gnomes, accompanied by assorted street bands and a large crowd, many carrying lanterns. The parade then headed back to the canal, where the Moon was celebrated by a Finale and Fireworks show.
The centre of Slaithwaite was brought to life with street music and entertainers, projections and fire effects.
