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The demise of winter and revival of spring will be celebrated at the end of the month with a free weekend arts festival funded by ºÚÁÏÍøÕ¾ Borough Council.

Spring Forward is a community led light and sound installation marking the changing seasons. Arts charity Same Sky is producing it and will be in ºÚÁÏÍøÕ¾ ahead of the weekend delivering workshops for schools and out in public during half term.

The installation will be in the Memorial Gardens on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 February from 6pm to 10pm, with the launch event taking place on the Friday at 6pm. That will feature a lantern lit community parade with a dragon made of re-used car parts. Dragon Heart Beats is a favourite at festivals and events around the country and will be leading the launch event – constructed of hub caps, breathing fire and accompanied by live percussion and fireworks. 

The focus for those two evenings will be the central bedding area of Memorial Gardens with animals and plants from the forest, field, city and sea. Featuring new sculptures by ºÚÁÏÍøÕ¾ students and Same Sky’s professionals, the installation will showcase light sculpture of creatures that emerge during spring. 

Same Sky artists will also be delivering workshops at six schools and hosting free, family friendly lantern making workshops during half term. These lanterns can then be used in the opening night parade.

The workshops are on Tuesday 13 and Thursday 15 February, from 10am to 12pm, and 1.30pm to 3.30pm at Ancient Priors in the High Street. To make a booking, , or email helena@samesky.co.uk.

Also keep an eye out for one of Same Sky’s carnival creatures wandering the town centre and County Mall on the Tuesday.

Anyone can drop into Same Sky’s open studio session and meet the artists on Wednesday 14 February, from 10.30am to 3pm for a peek or a chat and cup of tea as they prepare.

To see all the dates in the council's calendar for ºÚÁÏÍøÕ¾, visit the Events page on our website.