Grr: Children from Manor Park First School in Dorchester get ready

DOZENS of African animals are preparing to trek from the Corn Exchange to the Borough Gardens in Dorchester Festival’s Grand Parade on Saturday, May 29.

Artist Heidi Steller is working with more than 200 children to create a range of animal masks for the procession, which will be led by a giant wicker snake and accompanied by two bands, the newly formed Global Street Band and the Macaratu drum band.

“It’s going to be an amazing spectacle – our best Festival parade yet,” said Artistic Director Sharon Hayden.

Leaving the Corn Exchange at 12 noon, the parade will wind its way through the crows in South Street, past the Tunisian street market and up Bowling Alley Walk to the main festival site in the Borough Gardens in time for the first of the main stage performances by African/Salsa fusion band Grupo Lokito.

Performers appearing over the weekend include African music legend Kanda Bongo Man and comedienne Gina Yashere, making a rare appearance in the UK, following her rise to fame in the US where she now lives.

More information about festival events is on www.dorchesterfestival.co.uk

The picture above shows children from Manor Park First School in Dorchester getting ready for the procession.