A weekend spectacular of culture and creativity will unfold in Norwich as this year's Lord Mayor's Celebration kicks off.
From Friday, July 1 to Sunday, July 3, the city will burst into life, with street performances, food markets and funfairs in the line-up.
For many the highlight will be the Lord Mayor's procession which – on the Saturday evening – will see a colourful procession wind through the city centre, led by Lord Mayor of Norwich Marion Maxwell.
Themes of confirmed floats so far include David Bowie, Alice in Wonderland and the Olympic Games, while Combat Paintball will use a pick-up truck and a zombie for their apocalyptic, and debut, display.
As Saturday's festivities come to a close, a fireworks display will light up the skies over Norwich Castle at 10.30pm.
Alan Waters, leader of Norwich City Council, said: 'This year's Lord Mayor's Celebration promises to be another vibrant weekend, with an incredible range of entertainment, food and live music all over the city, culminating in a fantastic street procession and free firework display for everyone to enjoy.
'It is Norwich's biggest community event, growing every year and always embraced by community groups, schools, local businesses and, of course, our residents, who come out in their thousands to soak up the party atmosphere.'
This year's celebrations will be made up of a mix of old favourites, including the Great Norwich Duck Race on the Sunday, and new events, such as the Lord Mayor's Launch Pad, a day of hands-on activities and workshops for children and teenagers.
• Urban Art Fair
Sunday, July 3 – 11am to 4pm
Lining St Peter's Street in the city centre, the art fair will come as a new addition to the weekend of celebrations.
More than 30 talented local artists will showcase their creations, with David Chedgey (pictured below), Gennadiy Ivanov and Brian Korteling among them.
Live music, entertainment, drawing and printmaking will add to the festival feel of the fair.
• Maui Waui on the Green
Saturday, July 2 – 12pm to 10.30pm
The mini-festival will return to St Gregory's Green, in the Norwich Lanes, where the sounds of folk, reggae and electro-swing will filter through the air.
Live performances will include Monkey Spanner, Tallulah Goodtimes, Swing Caravan and Inkpot Plus.
• Gas Hill Gasp
Friday, July 1 – 7.15pm to 9.15pm
An old favourite – watch as hardened cyclists take on Norwich's steepest incline, Gas Hill.
The gasp, this year sponsored by Barford Van Hire, was set up in the 1950s as a time trial cycling race and it has continued since.
Scores of supporters are expected to line the sides of the narrow hill, off Riverside Road, which reaches a gradient of 20pc at its steepest point.
• 1549: The Story of Kett's Rebellion
Friday, July 1 – 7.30pm to 9.15pm, and Saturday, July 2 – 1pm to 2.45pm
For the first time during the celebrations, the story of Kett's Rebellion will be brought to life on stage.
Norwich amateur dramatics group The Common Lot will present 1549: The Story of Kett's Rebellion twice over the weekend, with more than 30 cast members re-enacting the uprising.
The rebellion was largely in response to the enclosure of land, beginning in Wymondham on July 8, 1549, with rebels destroying fences put up by wealthy landowners.
Instead of fighting back, Robert Kett, a landowner himself, joined their campaign and led them.
More than 15,000 people set up camp on Mousehold Heath and went on to storm Norwich. The rebels were defeated on August 27, with Kett tried for treason and hanged from Norwich Castle.
The show, written by Simon Floyd and Karl Minns, will be performed at the Whiffler Theatre in Castle Gardens.
• The Lord Mayor's Launch Pad
Saturday, July 2 – 12pm to 10pm
New this year, the day-long event, held at the Chantry car park, will be packed with activities, workshops and entertainment for eight to 16-year-olds.
From 12pm to 8pm, the area will be split into three zones –discovery, music and media and make and do.
In the discovery zone, beat-boxing, dancing, acting and live music will be in the line-up, while visitors can turn their hand to making a silent movie, stop-motion animation and presenting the news at the Evening News newsroom in the music and media zone.
Meanwhile, doodlers, bookworms and designers will enjoy the make and do zone, which will have plenty of arts and crafts – as well as a chance to learn circus skills.
From 8pm to 10pm, the car park will be transformed into a family-friendly silent disco.
For a full itinerary and more information, visit www.norwich.gov.uk/LMC
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