Thousands expected at Huddersfield’s Festival of Light - times and road closures here

Dec 3 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

THOUSANDS are expected in Huddersfield tomorrow night for the spectacular festival of Light.

The event organised by Kirklees Council looks set to attract record crowds as French performers Transe Express make a welcome return.

It is the first major event to be based in St George’s Square since the £4m revamp.

Festival of Light is an annual free street theatre show, with different international street artists taking over the town centre with acrobatics, music and fireworks.

Transe Express first performed at Festival of Light 2006 and are well known for their aerial shows. This year’s performance will again feature acrobatics and music performed from 30m in the air.

The performers will lead a procession through the town centre before the show. The procession starts at 7.30pm in New Street, at the junction with King Street and goes via Cloth Hall Street and Market Street into the square.

The show in the Square begins about 8pm and is expected to last for an hour, ending with a firework finale over the train station.

This year local musicians have been given a unique opportunity to perform alongside the international musicians and acrobats.

The drummers come from all over Kirklees – many are part of local community bands and this is the first time they have all come together to learn a routine as part of a bigger show.

The musical director of Transe Express held a workshop for the volunteers to teach them the routine.

Clr Peter McBride, Cabinet member for Regeneration, said: “Festival of Light looks set to attract thousands into the town centre for a night to remember.

“People loved Transe Express in 2006, and have been asking ever since if we would bring them back again.

“We’re looking forward to seeing it against the beautiful backdrop of the newly renovated St George’s Square.

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