Stars handmade by traders and schoolchildren will light up the streets of Stoke Newington this festive season.
Local traders behind the See you in Stokey brand have teamed up with artists at Output Arts to make large stars out of willow and paper which are being hung in shop windows along Church St and the High St and which children will parade during a special event on Saturday December 3rd (5pm-6pm). In true Stoke Newington style, the parade will be accompanied by a Samba band. The procession will gather outside the Fire Station for a Christmas lights switch on by Mayor Phillip Glanville and singing led by the Vox Holloway Choir.
Heidi Early, chairman of the Stoke Newington Business Association, said: “This year has been and continues to be very tough for all yet we are pulling together in a really positive way. These stars symbolise the invisible lines that connect everyone within the community. We’ve had a lot of fun making them and new friendships have been formed. The workshops within local schools have been wonderful and the children will have a very special star to take home after the parade.
“After the year we’ve all had, this event will feel especially poignant – a moment to come together and give thanks for the support of our incredible community.”
A child from each school has been nominated as a Stokey Star and they’ll be introduced to the crowd by the Mayor before he switches on the lights.
The festoon of lights on a large Christmas tree outside the fire station in Stoke Newington have all been decorated by local school children.
The project is also proudly supporting the Winter Toy Appeal, all donations welcome. Shops will be displaying their stars and plan to open until 8pm on December 3rd and every Saturday in December (apart from Christmas eve). Church Street will be closed to traffic from Albion Road to the High Street 4-7pm. The procession of children will leave Stoke Newington Town Hall between 4pm and 4.30pm, gathering outside the Fire Station at 5pm.
This event has been funded by Hackney Council through its High Street Recovery Fund.
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