Hundreds took to the streets on Sunday afternoon to see the first Lord Mayor’s pageant for 40 years.
Councillor Jill Houlbrook commissioned a colourful display of art, sideshows and street performances for the circus-themed pageant, which marked the last of four successful Northgate Street festivals.
Acts included The Kapow Sisters juggling clubs on top of a tight rope wire, Dr Tim Cockerill, The Human Volcano, and Jessyca Baker as The Dee Mermaid perched upon a coral reef.
Curator and producer Neil Kendall said: “I feel it is so important that our city’s rich historical culture is celebrated and that was the mission of the pageant. It was the perfect compliment to The Northgate Street Festival and for us as producers to see the street spring to life in such a colourful and dramatic fashion was a joy.
“We often forget how much Chester has to offer and that there are many local artists and performers who are underused in the city so it was especially important to me that the Lord Mayor commissioned a large street project which gave local artists a platform to produce something really special and everyone - volunteers and professionals alike - gave it their all.”
The Lord Mayor also commissioned the creation of the Lord Mayor’s Temple, an Egyptian Theatre, designed by Neil Kendall and built by Russell Kirk at the Gateway Theatre.
Even torrential rain could not dampen the spirit of the festival, which moved from the street to a Sideshow stage at Alexander’s in Rufus Court.
Neil said: “The Lord Mayor smiled and joked through two shows, even in the rain. In the end she even came to help us take down the circus sets we had built.
“You wont find that level of community spirit in many cities and its that human element which has always made Chester such a special place for us to produce our events!’’
Cllr Houlbrook said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon and the rain could not dampen the enthusiasm of the performers or excitement of the audience. It was a pleasure to support the event as we have so much talent on show in our proud city.”
