Spectacular parade in Hull to wind up year of 'magic and mysticism'

Organisers are promising a procession 90 minutes long of "wise beasts, giants, shape shifters and mischief makers."

The event on November 11, is the final "act" in a flagship Hull UK City of Culture 2017 project and will involve street perfomers from Galway-based Macnas, who have performed in China, Australia, San Francisco and most recently in Austin, Texas.

Imaginative "happenings" staged for Land of Green Ginger - the name is inspired by a street in Hull's Old Town - over the City of Culture year have attracted audiences of over 50,000.

An event in May, 7 Alleys, saw crowds pack into East Park over four nights to see a performance weaving social history and fictional characters.

Katy Fuller, Executive Producer at Hull 2017, said: “Throughout the year, communities across Hull have delighted in the magic and mysticism of the Land of Green Ginger.

"Old legends have awoken, ancient relics been unearthed and parallel worlds discovered. Now we are bringing a few of those familiar fables back along with a whole host of new exuberant characters as the full force of the city’s imagination is unleashed on the streets of Hull.”

Noeline Kavanagh, Artistic Director of Macnas, said: “The central character is a wise old man, a mystic who has appeared to call the Land of Green Ginger back home, beckoning the joy and waltzing with the darkness. We will create a final night of revelry, populated by dark, delirious and delicious characters to thrill the audience."

Events have included the return of the Gold Nose of Green Ginger to Bransholme, a beacon burning bright in Longhill, the collective power of Hull’s voice distilled in Pickering Park and a mini metropolis in Derringham.

Ms Fuller said: “We hope that that the story of the year, when anything was possible and neighbourhoods became places of wild imagination, will live on in the urban mythology of Hull forever.”

The parade - which will see Macnas collaborating with And Now, who staged the Longhill Burn - will start at 6.30pm at Saville Street.

It will weave along Guildhall Road, Lowgate and High Street before finishing at Humber Street at around 8pm.