Festival will illuminate improved Market Place

Improvements were made in the town centre using the Grantham Future High Street Fund

A free festival taking place in Grantham has been designed to bring the town together in the recently renovated Market Place.

The Festival of Community, taking place on 19 October, will feature exhibitions, street performers and a community stage with local poets, choirs and singers.

Light show projections and interactive soundscape performances will accompany a community lantern parade.

Councillor Paul Stokes, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for culture and leisure, said the "revitalised" town centre was the "perfect backdrop to the celebrations."

He added: “It will be a busy day delving into the rich history that the town has as well as an opportunity to showcase the incredible community spirit that exists, demonstrated by the number of residents and community groups who came together to make the lanterns and decorations on display for the parade."

Music and parade

The festival’s daytime activities run from 10:00 BST until 14:00 in the Market Place with a Pop-Up Exhibition Market.

A community stage will also showcase Grantham’s musical and theatrical artists with performances until 14:00.

“Our street entertainment will help visitors to really connect with the place they live and explore the history, the heritage and the community that exists today,” Stokes said.

In the evening animated projections will be cast on to Lindpet House.

A planned community parade from Westgate to the Market Cross will be "a celebration of the heritage and community of Grantham".

The council said the parade will be embellished with lanterns and decorations, inspired by the Market Place’s past.

There will also be entertainment from the The Fabuloso Organ, an interactive electronic instrument, and the Punjabi Roots Academy, with DJs and drumming.