More than 3,500 people gathered on Abbey Green in Barking on Sunday evening (6 November) to watch an award-winning laser lightshow, as part of the borough’s Bonfire Night celebrations in partnership with Creative Barking and Dagenham.
As part of the evening a brightly lit procession took to the streets as hundreds of revellers braved the wet weather to join a colourful lantern parade, featuring a giant Guy Fawkes.
Hundreds of lanterns were designed and made by residents and pupils from Barking and Dagenham at a series of creative workshops.
Local residents including Cultural Connectors and Broadway Theatre volunteers also took part in Cirque Bijou's beautiful Umbrella Project, which saw an array of dancing umbrellas in the parade.
Guys were also created at workshops and by other individuals and groups which included local families, Barking and Dagenham College Production Arts students and local artists Laura Iosifescu and Olukemi Oloyede.
The annual family friendly celebration, which returned for a third time, featured live music and entertainment, including a breath-taking fire show by daring performers, Cirque Bijou.
The grand finale of the evening was a stunning laser lightshow by BAFTA winning artist Seb Lee-Delisle.
Councillor Darren Rodwell, Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council said: “The lantern parade is a hugely popular spectacle in our calendar, and we’re absolutely delighted so many people were able to get involved and enjoy themselves – even if the rain did its best to put a dampener on things.
“We want to thank the tens of thousands of you who have attended one of our free events this year, and if you haven’t, don’t worry, there’s still time to get involved with our final big event of the year next month.”
Barking and Dagenham Council’s ‘Barking Mad About Christmas’ event takes place on Saturday, 3 December in Barking Town Square and will feature live performances, workshops, family friendly entertainment, and a chance to meet Santa in his grotto.
For more information visit www.lbbd.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/annual-events/barking-mad-about-christmas