Manchester Day 2020 parade theme revealed – and it’s all about saving Our Planet

The theme for this year’s Manchester Day parade has been revealed, and it’s all about saving Our Planet.

Hoping to inspire residents to rise to the challenge of using less, the day will celebrate Manchester’s diverse communities and seek to galvanise its neighbourhoods to protect our city for generations to come.

Incredible artworks and floats will parade through the city to shine a spotlight on important topics like sustainability and increasing protections of our natural world.

The Our Planet, Our City theme will also be reflected in the annual performances that take over the city’s many squares.

Taking place this year on Sunday 21st June, the parade will run from 1pm to 6pm, weaving its way through the city centre in a bright and colourful display.

Thousands take part in Manchester Day every year, with even more watching from the sidelines.

But a lot of work also goes on behind the scenes – and the council is now looking for community groups, volunteers and organisations to get involved in this year’s planning.

The deadline for applications is 10th February, and the council want as many creative groups to come forward and give their ideas as possible.

Manchester Day, after all, is nothing without its Mancunians.

Sustainability has always been a key part of Manchester Day, which broke new ground by imposing a no combustion engine rule when it first started eleven years ago.

Last years event saw the parade expand its green credentials further after organisers introduced a new policy prohibiting petrol-driven vehicles from taking part in the event.

All floats, artworks and props must be walked, pushed, pulled or danced through the city centre. Costumes are all handmade for the event, and many of the large structures are reused each year to limit waste.

This year’s parade will also kickstart a programme of car-free activities due to run throughout the summer.

Manchester Day is created in partnership between Manchester City Council and outdoor arts specialists, Walk the Plank.

“With its people-powered, cycled, re-cycled and up-cycled approach, Manchester Day has always had sustainability at its heart from the very start,” said Liz Pugh, co-founder of Walk the Plank

“But this year’s theme gives everyone taking part the chance to create an even more powerful response to the issue of climate change.  We’re excited to see how artists and community groups, in collaboration with Dan, help the people of Manchester make a bold and imaginative statement about climate change as they parade through the city’s streets.”

If you want to be part of Manchester Day 2020, you can apply online.

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