Midsummer Watch Parade posted by Kebi

Every year Chester's Midsummer Watch Parade gets bigger and better. This year we were joined by a new recruit – Mia - who looked fantastic in her colourful galabeya and shook her tambourine like a professional!

Mia and her tamborine with Phoenece, Kebi and Lina

She was a little worried about the elephant, but we promised her that he would not get to her; he would have to go through us first. She was ok with that, although we did have a number of near misses. However, it proved to be the ass in front of us, who kept stopping unexpectedly, that was the real problem!

Kebi, Mia and Phoenece with the pushy elephant!

Mia keeping an eye on the ass!

The parade this year seemed to be even more colourful and noisier than in previous years. Behind the elephant there was a Viking horde. We couldn't quite make out what they were saying, but it had something to do with watch out the Vikings are coming. Lots of children were involved this year, which was nice.

There were angels and devils, and Saint Werburgh and her geese were also in evidence. She is Chester's patron saint and was an Anglo Saxon princess who was said to have resurrected a dead goose! You can find out all about her by following this link - Werburgh 

The dragon was also very much part of the show again. After the parade, one lady said that the best bit of the day was when the Ya Raqs girls ran screaming across the Town Hall Square whilst being chased by the dragon. We weren’t quite sure how to take that.

This is perhaps the most unusual video you will find of the parade. It isn't often that you get to see the city of Chester from the back of an elephant.

Everyone had a great time, and I think the tourists enjoyed it too. Thank you to Russel Kirk and his team for another fantastic parade. We are looking forward to meeting you all again for the Midwinter Watch.