News Come along and help Light Up Maidstone
Come along to a fantastic Light Up Festival in Maidstone Town Centre on Friday 7 February from 5.00pm to 7.30pm with music and children’s mascots entertaining the crowds in the lead up to a stunning parade of lanterns.
Hundreds of school children from six local schools plus local community groups will carry their homemade lanterns from County Hall through Week Street to Jubilee Square while crowds are entertained by a host of street performers, and live entertainment in the heart of the town centre.
Maidstone’s stunning Light Up Festival is being brought to the town by One Maidstone Business Improvement District in collaboration with Cohesion Plus as event producer and supported by Maidstone Borough Council (MBC).
Michelle Woodland, CEO of One Maidstone said:
"February is well known for its dark evenings and reasons to stay home and hibernate. The Light Up Maidstone festival aims to bring light into the town and encourage people to venture out to enjoy a variety of professional performers and view the beautiful lanterns on parade, created by the participating local schools and community groups.“This free-to-attend event aims to welcome the light, showcase local art, support wellbeing with a community focus, and illuminate the Town Centre during the darkest months of the year."
Gurvinder Sandher MBE, Artistic Director at Cohesion Plus said:
“January and February can often feel challenging after the festive season, which is why we're thrilled to have co-produced the Maidstone Light Up Festival. This event will bring together local communities and artists to celebrate Maidstone, the County Town, through light, arts, and culture. We warmly encourage all residents to join us in supporting and enjoying this vibrant community celebration."
Cllr Stephen Thompson, Cabinet Member for Healthier Stronger Communities at MBC said:
“This will be a beautiful spectacle of light, colours and music. Come along and watch the parade of lanterns and entertainers weave its way through the town centre from one end, up at County Hall, to Jubilee Square. The parade will culminate in a dazzling light show, a must see.”
On the day of the event One Maidstone BID will launch a ‘Hearts of the Town’ wellness trail focusing on local charities and raising awareness of the support available. Participants have the opportunity to win some prizes kindly donated by The Hazlitt, Vineta Flower Gallery and N2 Sweet Lab.
Large heart shaped sculptures will also be located at Fremlin Walk and The Mall Maidstone where visitors can write wellbeing support messages and pin them to the heart. These will be in place for the three weeks of the trail 7–28 February.
For further information: https://onemaidstone.com/event/light-up-maidstone/ and follow @onemaidstoneKent on Facebook & @onemaidstone Instagram.
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