THOUSANDS of people are expected to enjoy this week’s stunning Festival of Light.
Final preparations are taking place for the two-day show, which takes place on Friday and Saturday.
And for some local people the build-up is even more exciting as they prepare to take part in the show alongside the professional artists.
This year’s show features a street theatre performance with a firework procession performed by the Xarxa Teatre company from Valencia, Spain.
The show, which is the same on both nights, will move through the town centre streets and see key performances taking place at three sites along the route.
People are being given a wonderful opportunity to take part in the performances and get some professional acting experience with Xarxa, who are famous around the world for their elaborate shows.
The local people are being trained in the few days running up to Festival of Light and will be given all the theatrical make-up and costumes they need to look the part.
The group taking part includes theatre and event management students from Huddersfield University as well as several people who have volunteered previously for events such as Fire in the Sky in Huddersfield and the Imbolc fire festival in Marsden.
Clr Ken Sims, Kirklees Cabinet’s member for regeneration, said: “The Festival of Light is a wonderful event for Huddersfield. Every year it’s enjoyed by thousands of local people as well as visitors to the town.
“It’s great that local people are being given the chance to take part in the two performances; what an exciting opportunity!”
Oscar Luna, director of Xarxa Teatre, said: “We performed in Huddersfield in 2005 and are delighted to be coming to the town again.
“It will be fantastic to involve local people in the show. We look forward to working with them and giving them a flavour of what it is liked to be involved in a big event like this.”
