World Cup parade wows the crowds
Exeter was wowed by a parade of colour, rugby, music and creativity this past weekend.
Huge crowds gathered for The Exeter Five Nations Parade. A parade that snaked through the city from Cathedral Green to the Fanzone on Saturday 10 October to celebrate the Rugby World Cup 2015 and the culture of the nations based in the host city of Exeter.
The parade was awash with eye-popping amazing costumes, bears, Vespa’s, magical musicians and giant pizzas hats. Not to mention a giant revolving turtle dove.
Walk the Plank, the creative producers of the parade and world renowned outdoor arts specialists, have worked with schools right across Exeter, students from the University of Exeter Applied Drama and PGCE Teacher Training Courses, students from Exeter College art and design departments, the Exeter Chiefs, local musicians, artists locally and nationally – in partnership with Exeter City Council - to bring the delightful parade to the streets of Exeter.
Italy, Georgia, Namibia, Tonga and Romania were represented by different national symbols – Romania by an army of children dressed as bears – a highlight to the audience – pedal powered structures and a street band led the celebration. Thousands followed the excitement on Twitter, with the hashtag #5nationsparade trending across the city.
The parade atmosphere started early in the morning as performers gathered on Cathedral Green to rehearse their formations and dances, all performers were then dressed in their costumes and added colourful make-up relevant to the nation they were representing.
At 1pm all performers gathered in full costumes, make-up, with flags and banners, on Cathedral Green and headed through the city to the Rugby World Cup 2015 Fanzone where they gave a finale performance.
Produced during a month of workshops was a totem pole which represented the five nations being hosted by Exeter during the Rugby World Cup. The totem was placed next to the stage and big screen in the Fanzone and kept watch on the rugby fans throughout the day.
Ellie Turner Creative Producer at Walk the Plank said: “The Five Nations Parade has been the perfect celebration for bringing everyone in this great city together during the Rugby World Cup. It breaks down any generation barriers as people of all ages get involved. That spirit of warmth and friendship is something everyone from Exeter can be proud of.”
The city council’s Arts and Festivals Manager Val Wilson, added: “I’m always proud of Exeter, but this parade reminds us all of exactly why. The passion and excitement is always infectious. The parade proves that Exeter has got spirit and lots of talent.”
Walk the Plank will return to Exeter on Saturday October 31 to provide a musical and explosive Fanzone Finale!
For more information please contact festivals@exeter.gov.uk
Exeter Five Nations Parade and Fanzone Finale are supported by E2015, National Lottery through Arts Council England and Unexpected - Exeter City Council's festival of outdoor performance and visual arts.
Photos by Matt Austin.
