Midsummer Watch Parade, Chester 2014, posted by Kebi

It was a beautiful sunny day as Phoenece and I wandered down behind the cathedral in Chester to meet up with the other participants in the Midsummer Watch Parade. Ya Raqs have been invited to this parade many times before, and have always been impressed by the noise and colour of it. What a surprise, as we walked around the corner, to find there were even more people there than in previous years. Midsummer Watch 2014 was set to be bigger and better than ever before.

Phoenece and the stilt walker before the parade

We went to find our friend the Camel - our regular partner on these parades - and on the way met a new friend, the Donkey. Phoenece was so taken with the donkey she kept petting it!

With our old friend the Camel

And our new friend the Donkey

We all lined up and we were off. There were large groups of children waving stars, angels and demons. There were Green Men, a Unicorn and a Stag, Angels, Demons, a ship and of course the Dragon. Phoenece and I were in front of the camel and we danced and played our sagat all the way around the town.

Phoenece and Kebi in Town Hall Square

The parade ended in front of the town hall. As we walked to take our place with the others, the master of ceremonies shouted at us “Dance!” so we did. Middle Eastern dancing to a Samba beat is quite fun. We did the usual Ya Raqs thing and encouraged the crowd to join in.

What I wasn’t expecting was for the dragon to try to eat me! All of a sudden I was enveloped in a colourful cloud of smoke.

Kebi and the dragon

I managed to escape, but the Master of Ceremonies was not so lucky. However, a brave child from the pirate ship stepped forward and slayed the dragon with her trusty sword.

Chester Midsummer Watch goes from strength to strength. It was a loud, colourful, joyous, fun event. I am already looking forward to next year. Thank you to Russell Kirk for inviting us to take part.

Have a look at these photos by DFlockton Photography, who captured the flavour of the event.

And if you want a bit more background to the parade then check out the website here.