Hundreds of pupils will flaunt creations as the Light Up Festival comes to Maidstone
Schools will be parading through Maidstone this evening for the Light Up Maidstone Festival, which is taking place to encourage more people out of their homes in the cold month of February.
Business Improvement District, One Maidstone are working with Maidstone Borough Council and Cohesion Plus to deliver the festival which will see the town centre lit up with light displays and interactive installations, as well as live and culturally diverse entertainment.
About 600 children will be flaunting their unique lanterns that they have made for the event. The lanterns were created in free artistic workshops, delivered by Same Sky Arts, which many locals schools have taken part in.
Senior Marketing and Events Assistant, Melissa Hanley said: “Its one of those times of year where it’s a bit of a low month, we’ve just had the January blues and we just wanted to do something to get the town, the community together.”
The event is free, like most events organised by OneMaidstone as their aim is to encourage more people to go out into the town centre during the cost-of-living crisis.
Hanley said: “It just means that if the events free, maybe people might have a little bit of money to have a drink out or have a little peruse in the shops.”
This year is the first year Maidstone will be hosting this event. The Medway Lights Night took place in Rochester last year with thousands gathering for the festival. It will also take place in Rochester this year, next Friday 10th February. Maidstone is hoping it will be as big a success for them this year as it was for Medway last year.
One Maidstone have also worked with Mind East Kent who have made a ‘wellbeing wall’ which will provide a QR code to take you to a website link with information on mental health help and financial support.
Entertainment will begin in the town centre from 4.30pm with the parade starting at Sessions House and finishing at Jubilee Square. More information is available on their Instagram page @onemaidstone.
