A big thank you to the local schools and pupils who replied to our request to send in ideas for the theme. We can now officially announce the theme of Kendal Torchlight 2017 is ‘Fairy Tales’. The Torchlight Carnival takes place on Friday 15th September and Kendal Street Party on Saturday 16th September.
Now in its 47th year, Kendal Torchlight is one of the highlights of the local calendar and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever. During 2016 the first ever economic impact survey for Torchlight was undertaken which showed that the 2016 event contributed an estimated £1,535,678 to the local economy.
As always, the theme of The Kendal Torchlight Carnival 2017 is eagerly anticipated, and this year the Torchlight organising team reached out to the young people of Kendal for their ideas. We asked local schools to suggest the theme as they always play a huge part in the Friday procession through the town. We hope this will encourage even more creativity and empower local children to create the carnival they want to see.
‘Fairy Tales’ will allow imaginations to run wild as both children and adults alike have favourite stories and films which they share together. This theme was chosen by pupils who study at separate schools in Kendal, Vicarage Park Primary School and Castle Park School. Both pupils will win tickets to watch this year’s Torchlight from the mayor’s stand in the town centre.
For the first time this year the Torchlight Organising Group are hosting a series of workshops in the build up to Torchlight to help get everyone’s creative juices flowing. The workshops will be held in The Westmorland Shopping Centre and provide an opportunity for young people to make their own artwork for Torchlight, with a team of voluntary artists. News on the workshop dates will be announced on the Torchlight Facebook Page.
The Torchlight Organising Group is a team of local people who volunteer all year round to ensure Torchlight can take place, planning for September’s carnival started back in January. This year, the team are looking for enthusiastic people with a whole range of skills to help in many areas, including logistics, entrants management, sponsorship and other admin duties.
We’re also looking for any local people who can give some time to help out at local fundraising events and also during Torchlight itself. If you can give some time, even just a few hours you would be making a really important contribution. Please email admin@kendal-torchlight-carnival.co.uk.