Freelance Artist Sarah Oxley pictured
With Manchester Day just around the corner, the official countdown is on as artists and groups start creating this year’s incredible artworks at a series of special workshops.
This year’s unmissable free family day out- which takes place on Sunday 19 June- is back for its first outing since the pandemic and is dedicated this year to the city's children and young people as part of Manchester's 2022 Our Year campaign.
The year-long campaign was launched by the council to help make up for all the opportunities lost by young people during the pandemic and the various lockdowns of the last two years. Badged as a year of opportunity for young people it's about listening to what children and young people want from their city, as well providing them with opportunities to help them experience new things.
The Manchester Day Wow Workshop, funded by the Arts Council England’s Elevate program, opened for business last weekend. In true Manchester Day style, the workshops were colourful and vibrant, offering a sneak peek at what the parade has in store.
Run by outdoor arts organisation, Walk the Plank, local artists were joined at last weekend's Wow Workshop to start creating floats and costumes that make Manchester Day the top-rated highlight of the city’s summer events calendar.
The workshops were the first of many workshops that will take place in the Federation Building at NOMA that are open to groups who are part of Manchester Day. More workshops will take place before the big day, across the city including in Harpurhey, Wythenshawe, Gorton, Moss Side, Longsight and Ardwick
On the big day itself the legendary Manchester Day Parade will weave its way through the city's streets and as always music, dance and outdoor theatre will bubble over into the streets and squares of the city centre for a full afternoon of family entertainment - all of which will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Freelance Artist Sarah Oxley, who led last weekend's workshop session, said:
“I love working on the parade and enjoy working with so many different communities, artists and groups.
“One of the brilliant things about the Manchester Day Parade is that it encompasses so much diversity, so many different cultures and communities. I think it's great that on the day everyone can come together and see all their hard work in action. It is such a special and unique project that I’m very fortunate to be a part of.”
Councillor Pat Karney, Chair of Manchester Day, said:
“The hard work has officially begun as hundreds of artists, community groups and volunteers work tirelessly over the next few weeks to bring the Manchester Day Parade to life. Dedicated this year to the city's children and young people to help make up for everything they missed during Covid, as well as being a brilliant day out on the day itself, Manchester Day is already giving the city’s young people a unique opportunity to collaborate with artists to get their creative juices flowing and make a real contribution to an event that every year attracts thousands of people into the city.
“ I can't wait to see all the fabulous creations that come out of the workshops and just know that Manchester Day this year is going to be fantastic!”
Liz Pugh, Creative Producer for Walk the Plank, added:
“The commitment to environmental sustainability is strengthened this year in the creative content of the Parade as we work towards Zero Carbon: in the Workshop we are committed to reducing waste and recycling where possible to reduce our carbon footprint. We have also undertaken carbon literacy training and we encourage everyone to come by public transport if they can.”
Manchester Day is created by Manchester People, commissioned by Manchester City Council, and produced by Walk the Plank.
Keep up with all the Manchester Day news at the official twitter - @Manc_Day , Instagram- @manchesterday and join the conversation using #manchesterday. Also visit the Manchester City Council TikTok page for an exclusive behind the scenes look at the amazing work taking place at the workshops.