ROUTE CONFIRMED: Mansfield's first ever community parade

The parade in America the Mayor wants to copy.

Inspired by one of Mansfield's sister cities across the Atlantic, the new parade will see a day filled with live music, fairground rides and most importantly a parade of groups, charities and businesses around the town centre.

Kate Allsop, Mansfield’s Mayor, was invited by the Sister Cities Association, which has been connecting Mansfield's across the world to share ideas, to visit Mansfield, Pennsylvania, in America, in September 2016.

Every four years the association holds an exchange visit to a Mansfield around the world, the next trip is to Texas in 2020.

Amazed by the "simplicity" of a parade held at the town the Mayor decided to hold Mansfield's very own version.

The parade will take place on Sunday, June 10, hosted by the Mansfield District Council, Mansfield Rotary Club and the Sister Cities Association and is set to cost over Â£20,000.

Travelling around Mansfield the parade will travel down, Chesterfield Road South, St Peters Way, Clumber Street, Leeming Street and West Gate.

Hundreds of people will take part in the event were sweets are planned to be handed out to children on the route.

Mayor Allsop, says she is very much looking forward to leading the parade in her hometown and hopes that the event will be as successful as the one she took part in during the visit in Pennsylvania.

She said: “I want to see a parade like the old Mansfield Carnival that ceased in the early 80’s with groups like Girl Guides, cadets groups, heritage groups, Neighbourhood Watch, youth groups, WI, local sports clubs, perhaps Mansfield Town FC, colliery bands/marching bands, classic cars, bikes and other vintage vehicles, emergency services, Royal British Legion, Armed Forces and local churches."

Stewart Rickersey, the Chairman of the Sister Cities Association and Councillor for Eakring Ward has said the parade which will start and finish outside the Civic Centre on Chesterfield Road South will also feature a 'showground' where there will be small fairground rides, bouncy castles, food and tribute artists, including ABBA and Madonna.

The parade is expected to start at 11 am and finish around 12.30pm, taking one-and-a-half-hours, the 'showground' will be open from 10 am to 6 pm.

The council plans for 80 groups to be involved.

Charities will be allowed to set up a stall on the Recreational Ground next to the Civic Centre were events after the parade will be held.

In the car park at the centre, there are plans to hold a classic car meet on the day.

He said: "The parade will be open to the community and charitable groups across Mansfield and district and there will be no charge to those groups taking part.

"However the logistics of the parade will mean that numbers will be limited, so early booking will be necessary.

"It is a chance to bring the community together and I hope it will become an annual event."

He went on to say that direct invitations will be made to all the community groups that expressed an interest when the project was first announced last June.

Nicky Tomlinson-Murphy, the President of Mansfield Rotary Club, said “ The Rotary motto is 'service above self and all our members play a role in supporting our local community in a variety of ways, whether through fundraising on the Xmas Sleigh or support to local groups.

"This community parade fits perfectly into our objectives of helping others and we are delighted to be a co-organiser of this event with the Sister Cities Association”.

Roadblocks

The council plans for 80 groups to be involved.

Traffic will be stopped to several roads in Mansfield for the parade on June 10.

Covering Chesterfield Road South, St Peters Way, Clumber Street, Leeming Street and West Gate, traffic will be stopped on these roads an hour before and after the parade which is set to start at 11 am and finish at 12,30pm.

The parade route has been provisionally identified but will be subject to discussions with the Highways Authority and the Police.

How to get involved

Any group, charity or organisation is allowed to join the parade.

It is estimated that 80 groups can take part on a first come first served basis.

Businesses will be charged Â£27.48 but charities can enter free.

To reserve your space visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mayors-community-parade-tickets-41642926113