A giant fisherman, glowing jellyfish, boats, and the sound of drumming filled Ramsgate town yesterday evening (December 22) as the Winter Lantern Parade took place.
Arts in Ramsgate (AiR) worked with organisation Great British Carnival to produce the parade which had a Safe Harbour theme.
Scores of residents took part in lantern making workshops leading up to the event, creating fabulous boats, Christmas trees, stars and more to parade alongside a reproduction of the lantern on St Georges Church made by local artist Janis Gibbs, a large lantern of the lighthouse in the Harbour and the Ramsgate RNLI boat.
Music came from Ramsgate’s newest community drumming band Samba Ya Wantsum, led by Ramsgate resident and musician Emily Peasgood.
The parade left from the High Street, headed down Harbour Street, Harbour Parade and along Ramsgate Main Sands for a Samba style Christmas Carol singalong.
Teresa Askew, who was one of the organisers, said: “It was such a joy to produce Safe Harbour,’ bringing so many groups and people together to make a magical parade. It was a really lovely event and we are so happy that people loved it as much as we do. “Working with Emily Peasgood to create Samba for Ya Wantsum is great fun and a great asset for all our future parades.”
The event was supported by The Big Lottery Community Fund, Ramsgate Town Council and Thanet District Council.
