On Sunday 19 August, Barking and Dagenham Council in partnership with local arts organisation, Studio 3 Arts, hosted the seventh annual Youth Parade, an event to celebrate the borough’s inspirational young people and the positive contribution they make to their community.

300 young people took part in the parade, which took place in Barking this year and made its way from Abbey Green to Barking Park. 

Come rain or shine, nearly 2,000 people lined the streets and cheered on the various performance, dance and community groups that participated, as it made its way through Barking Town Centre.

I loved seeing so many residents coming out and cheering on our wonderful young people. Those that took part are an inspiration and I look forward to the parade returning next year!

Residents were then treated to a free family fun day at Barking Park which included dance, art and sporting workshops. Free inflatables, climbing wall, trampolines, pedal karts and many more family fun activities throughout the day.

The Youth Parade was also host to a specially curated line-up from Studio 3 Arts which included dance duo Homebros, local rapper Idris Miles, singer Logann Knight, performances from local dance groups and a dance battle competition called ‘7 to Smoke’ featuring very talented young dancers who take part in Studio 3 Arts’ ‘3Style Fridays’.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community Leadership and Engagement, Cllr Saima Ashraf said: “Every year, the Youth Parade is an absolute joy to be a part of. We know the parade couldn’t go ahead as we hoped last year, so I am very pleased to see so many of the local groups go all out and make this year’s one, very special indeed.

“I loved seeing so many residents coming out and cheering on our wonderful young people. Those that took part are an inspiration and I look forward to the parade returning next year!”