Seaside Spectacle: South Tyneside Festival Unites Community and Coast

Get ready to celebrate South Tyneside’s stunning coastline at this year’s highly anticipated This Is South Tyneside Festival! With 2023 being designated as the Year of the Coast, there’s no better time for the community to come together and enjoy a fantastic lineup of entertainment and activities. Kicking off with the annual Summer Parade on Saturday, July 1, the event promises to be an inclusive, engaging, and unforgettable experience for everyone.

This year’s Summer Parade is all about embracing the sand and sea, while also welcoming new individuals and community groups to the festivities. The Cultural Spring has been working tirelessly to make the parade the most inclusive to date, reaching out to a diverse range of organizations, including war veterans and the local Bangladeshi communities.

The parade aims to involve people who may not have had previous exposure to the arts, with dance taster sessions and puppet, flag, and banner making workshops available. Even those who are housebound can participate in the fun, thanks to the creation of kits that allow for at-home crafting to be included in the parade. A dance routine will be filmed so that everyone can practice at home and join in on the day.

The coastal theme will truly come alive as the parade makes its way from South Shields Town Hall down to Bents Park on the seafront. The excitement continues with a family fun day packed with entertaining activities. For more information or to get involved, contact [email protected] or phone 07469 030 256.

Cllr Pat Hay, Mayor of South Tyneside, is confident that this year’s parade will be one of the best so far, setting the stage for an incredible This Is South Tyneside Festival. Organized by South Tyneside Council in partnership with The Cultural Spring and supported by Arts Council England, the festival will feature a weekend of entertainment, including street performances and the traditional Proms in the Park.

The summer festivities extend beyond the parade, with a series of popular Sunday concerts in Bents Park featuring The Vamps, Jason Donovan, Bjorn Again, and Boyzlife. While these concerts are free, priority tickets can be purchased for £6, granting early access. Grab your tickets at Ticketmaster or Shop @ The Word, and keep an eye on www.southtynesidefestival.co.uk or follow South Tyneside Events on Facebook and Twitter (@STynesideEvents) for further updates.