Canterbury prepares for Medieval Pageant on Saturday, July 7
Thousands of people are expected to descend on a Kent city for its fantastic annual Medieval pageant
The parade and entire day of events will take over Canterbury on Saturday, July 7.
The event commemorates Henry ll’s pilgrimage to Canterbury and his astonishing public apology for the murder of Thomas Becket in 1174.
The colourful parade, last year watched by more than 5,000, features historical characters, mounted warriors, musicians, schools, re-enactment groups, giants, music and medieval mayhem.
Visitors are even encouraged to come in costume and join the parade!
It launches with a fanfare and short performance at Tower House in the Westgate Gardens at 11am. From there the pageant will move across the city finishing at the Marlowe Theatre's forecourt at around 12.30.
Musicians and actors who take part in the pageant provide four short acts along the route and the free event, which is fast becoming one of the biggest events in the city's calendar is described as a 'must-see'.
Supporting the pageant itself is The Family Trail - a series of medieval activities for children of all ages.
Running from 11.30am until 5pm, the family-friendly trail encourages visitors to enter numerous heritage sites around the city to discover your talents for medieval archery, jewellery making, sword fighting, arts and crafts and much more.
Participants that visit five or more venues can claim a free chocolate medallion from the Canterbury Cathedral Shop.
The event is organised by Canterbury Connected Business Improvement District (BID).
For more details about the event as they are released - and the locations of The Family Trail - visit www.canterburymedievalpageant.co.uk or look out for a Family Trail Leaflet at The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge.
