PUPPETEERS are offering Skipton folk the chance to create their own characters and join the parade at Skipton Puppet Festival this September.
The festival, which draws in performers world wide, is over the weekend of September 29 - October 1 and in the run up to the event there are a host of community activities.
For those who fancy getting stuck in, there will be free parade puppet making workshops over the weekends of September 16th-17th and September 23rd-24th in partnership with Hebden Bridge based, Handmade Parade. More drop-in puppet making opportunities will take place at the festival itself.
This year the fundraising has been bolstered by support from Skipton Mechanics Institute, financing access to performances for local schoolchildren, The Rotary club of Skipton, supporting animation workshops led by master animator Virpi Kettu, and Skipton BID, offering town centre businesses more opportunities to benefit from festival visitors.
The Craven Trust is offering community puppet making bursaries in order to create puppets to join the Puppet Parade on Sunday October 1.
"The take-up this year has been fantastic, including Skipton Young Carers, Craven Open Door, Skipton Oxfam, North Yorkshire Respite Care, Skipton Academy, Carleton Primary School, Skipton Quakers, St Stephen’s Rainbows and the Wednesday Group, an after school club receiving bursaries. There’s one more bursary of up to £100 up for grabs," said administrator, Clare Danek.
Over sixty per cent of shows at Skipton Puppet Festival were free, which meant everyone could experience the puppetry magic regardless of income, enjoying performances from world-class established puppeteers to student and experimental work.
"The team delivering the festival can’t do it without the support it receives from the people of Skipton and the surrounding area – they’re looking forward to seeing you again this September.
"Anyone keen to get involved with the festival should contact the festival via its Facebook page or through the Festival website."
To find out more, visit the Community page on the Skipton Puppet Festival website: http://skiptonpuppetfestival.co.uk/page4.html
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