Basingstoke Festival, the award-winning free annual celebration of art, culture, heritage, community and outdoor arts returns this weekend, starting with a green parade bringing communities across the borough together this Friday (20 June).

The festival is produced and funded by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, providing free performances which will pop-up in Basingstoke town centre and other locations across the borough over the next three weekends.

The opening parade on Friday is being produced by Scratch Built Productions and will set the scene for the theme of this year’s festival -  sustainability and inclusivity. The Green Parade starts at 5.30pm on Cross Street, finishing at the Festival Place Amphitheatre with performances from Perhaps Contraption and Autin Dance Theatre.

Visitors interested in joining the parade are being encouraged to wear something green to help create a vibrant wave through the town centre. For those that prefer to watch the magic unfold, they can line the route from Church Street, down Wote Street to the Festival Place Amphitheatre.

Leading the parade, Perhaps Contraption’s show, The Journey, combines an original progressive pop score with Visual Vernacular – a unique blend of physical theatre, signed poetry and mime. Expect intricate rhythms, expressive bustle and a healthy dose of hope.

Returning festival favourites Autin Dance Theatre will also be premièring their new show, Up in the Sky, at the end of the parade at the amphitheatre. The aerial dance spectacle tells the story of two siblings as they navigate challenges of displacement and change and will feature over 100 local people involved in the production.

For 10 days over the festival starting from 8pm after the parade, NoFit State will bring their circus show SABOTAGE to War Memorial Park. It promises to be a rollercoaster ride of jaw-dropping circus skill and stunts where performers utilise every inch of the big top to deliver incredible feats. This event is ticketed.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Sports, Leisure and Culture Cllr Kerry Morrow said: “I’m looking forward to the Green Parade on Friday. It will be a fantastic opening spectacle for this year’s Basingstoke Festival and unite everyone with a passion for a greener future.

“Expect eye-catching dresses, towering puppets and incredible creations made by our talented local schools, colleges, and community groups in a feel-good procession through the heart of Basingstoke. Whether you want to wear a splash of green or head-to-toe colour, everyone is welcome to join the parade.”

More information about Basingstoke Festival, including times and locations of performances, is available at www.BasingstokeFestival.co.uk or on social media channels @BasingstokeFestival on Facebook and @BstokeFestival on Instagram. 

Basingstoke Festival is part of Without Walls, a network of organisations bringing innovative outdoor arts to towns and cities across England. Find out more on www.WithoutWalls.uk.com.