Manchester International Festival: THE HERDS' safari animals to take over Heywood in climate action march
Heywood will be taken over by 70 safari animals on Friday as the town welcomes THE HERDS.
The life-sized animal puppets will be passing through the area on their journey of epic proportions in what is an unusual and eye-catching feat never attempted before. Elephants, giraffes, antelope, and lions made from upscaled or recyclable cardboard and plywood will all feature in the parade.
This is to highlight the animals travelling north to ‘flee the climate disaster’ say The Walk Productions, the company behind THE HERDS, a huge artwork being brought to Heywood as part of Manchester International Festival.
Putting a focus on climate change, the animals began their 20,000km journey in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in April and are now making their way through European cities, crossing to the UK later this week before arriving in London.
THE HERDS will first come to city centre Manchester on July 3, where they can be seen strolling through Cathedral Gardens, Exchange Square and Market Street.
The animals will then appear in the residential area around Aspinall Street in Heywood from 7pm on Friday, July 4. They are on a mission to find a way back to nature, which ends with them moving to the lake at nearby Queen’s Park – a tranquil oasis.
The following day (Saturday, July 5) the parade will also visit Pennington Flash in Wigan.
Locations being recommended for visitors wanting to see THE HERDS in Heywood are Aspinall Street, the corner where Miller Street, Aspinall Street and Mutal Street meet, Miller Street, Starkie Street and around the lake at Queen’s Park.
Following THE HERDS’ appearance at the lake in Queen’s Park there will be a free live performance on stage at the park’s outdoor theatre by nine-piece Riot Jazz Brass Band. The festival favourites will be bringing their irresistible energy, playing their lively mix of dancefloor anthems and aggro-jazz from 8pm until around 9pm.
Food and drink will be available for sale at Queen’s Park between 7pm – 9pm.
Coun Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council said: “Seeing THE HERDS in Heywood is a once in a lifetime opportunity, a combination of dance-theatre, awe-inspiring life-size puppets creating something very powerful and moving.
“It’s very exciting, THE HERDS are capturing the imagination of everyone who sees them and I hope through these creatures we will spark thoughts and raise awareness about everything that is happening to our environment worldwide too.
“Nature and THE HERDS message is crucial.”