A colourful lantern parade inspired by the hit 1970’s song by Wizzard ““I wish it could be Christmas Everyday” will launch the Festive celebrations in Gravesham on November 13. Organised in partnership by Cohesion Plus, Kent Equality Cohesion Council and Gravesham Borough Council around 600 pupils from 13 local schools will be taking part.

The Parade which will be led by the Mayor of Gravesham Councillor Michael Wenban will start in the Saint George’s Shopping Centre at 4.30pm and will then head towards Community Square via New Road and Windmill Street. The Christmas Lights in the Town Centre will be switched on in stages as the parade passes.

The children will be joined in the parade by the Glenduart Pipe Band, Crocodile Style Street Band, Four by Four Dhol Drummers, Bloco Fogo Samba, Stilt Walkers and comedians Payne and Pearce. A particular highlight will be the performance by the Dancing Santa’s on the junction between New Road and Windmill Street which has been created by Cohesion Plus working with Four by Four Bhangra Dancers which will fuse the cultures of east and west together in a unique performance. 

Once the parade reaches the Community Square the Mayor of Gravesham Councillor Michael Wenban will switch on the lights on the Christmas Tree around 5.30pm after the cast of the Gravesham Pantomime of Robin Hood have appeared on stage.

Gurvinder Sandher the CEO of Kent Equality Cohesion Council commented “I am very pleased with how the arrangements have gone for the Christmas Lantern Parade. This is our last event of the year and we hope that the local community will come out and see the spectacular work that the young people have been doing in the build up to the event. Events like this showcase not only Gravesham Town Centre but also the positive community relations enjoyed here in the borough.”