A parade of groups, charities and businesses around Mansfield town centre, live music, fairground rides and fun are all planned for a major new event in the town that aims to highlight its community spirit.

The route for the first Mayor’s Community Parade on Sunday, 10th June has just been confirmed.

Inspired by a visit to one of Mansfield’s sister cities in the USA, it is being put together by Mansfield District Council, Mansfield Rotary Club and the Sister Cities Association.

Travelling around Mansfield, the parade will start close to the Civic Centre on Chesterfield Road South and head into the town centre via St Peters Way, Clumber Street and Leeming Street.

It will then go along West Gate and head back on Chesterfield Road South and on to Rosemary Street, before finishing next to the Civic Centre.

The day’s entertainment will then continue with small fairground rides and live music tribute acts, featuring songs from the likes of Abba and Madonna, on a showground area on the recreational ground next to the Civic Centre.

There are plans for a classic car meet in the Civic Centre car park.

The Mayor of Mansfield, Kate Allsop, came up with the idea of the parade after a trip to Mansfield, Pennsylvania, in September 2016, where she took part in a community parade.

She had been invited by the Sister Cities Association, which has been connecting Mansfields across the world for many years.

The association holds an exchange visit to a Mansfield around the world every four years, with the next trip planned to the Mansfield in Texas, USA, in 2020.

Inspired by the simplicity of a parade in Mansfield, Pennsylvania, which included sweets being handed to children along the route, the mayor decided to try to organise one in Mansfield UK.

Kate said she was looking forward to leading the parade in her hometown and hoped it would be as successful as the one she took part in during the visit to Pennsylvania.

“I want to see a parade like the old Mansfield Carnival that ceased in the early 80s, with groups like Girl Guides, cadets groups, heritage groups, Neighbourhood Watch, youth groups, WIs, sports clubs, colliery and marching bands, classic cars, bikes and other vintage vehicles, emergency services, the Royal British Legion, the Armed Forces and local churches,” she said.

The parade, which is expected to feature around 80 groups, will start at 11am and finish around 12.30pm.
The showground area will be open from 10am to 6pm. It will feature small fairground rides, bouncy castles, food and live music. There will also be charity stalls.

Stewart Rickersey, chairman of the Sister Cities Association and district councillor for Eakring Ward, said: “The parade will be open to the community and charitable groups across Mansfield and district. There will be no charge to those groups taking part.

“However, the logistics of the parade will mean that numbers will be limited, so early booking is necessary.

“It is a chance to bring the community together and I hope it will become an annual event.”

Nicky Tomlinson-Murphy, the president of Mansfield Rotary Club, said: “The Rotary motto is service above self and all our members play a role in supporting our local community in a variety of ways, whether through fundraising on the Christmas Sleigh or supporting local groups.

“This community parade fits perfectly into our objectives of helping others and we are delighted to be a co-organiser of this event with the Sister Cities Association.”

How to get involved

Any group, charity or organisation is allowed to join the parade.

Around 80 groups are expected to take part on a first-come, first-served basis.

Businesses will be charged £27.48 but charities can enter free.

Groups can reserve their space at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mayors-community-parade-tickets-41642926113