Stilt walkers, unicyclists and stunt riders are just some of the entertainers helping communities across the county celebrate the arrival of the Tour de Yorkshire and the Asda Women’s Tour de Yorkshire Race. With not long to go until the start of the race, an exciting programme of sport, art and cultural events has been announced for each start and finish town.
Organised by local authorities, with support from the team behind the Yorkshire Festival 2016, the events will take place over race weekend from Friday 29th April to Sunday 1st May.
On Friday 29th April, former Olympic track cyclist Rebecca Romero will join the crowds at the start of Stage One in Beverley, where thousands of schoolchildren will be gathered to watch stunt riders show off their skills. There will also be fitness events, mascots and a big screen to watch the action unfold.
For the stage finale in Settle, spectators will be treated to circus entertainment, magic shows, and a special Kamishibai performance – a form of traditional storytelling originating in Japan – featuring local tales from the WR Mitchell archive. The Greenfoot Festival Fanzone will also have a big screen and street entertainment, including a bicycle drummer and the New York Brass Band, BMX stunt team, bicycle powered activities, as well as food and drink stalls.
To mark the beginning of Stage Two and the start of the Asda Women’s Tour de Yorkshire Race on Saturday 30th April, Otley will host a day of family entertainment, featuring street theatres, bands and musicians who will perform at “busk stops” across the town centre.
Meanwhile, at the finish line in Doncaster, actors, storytellers and singers will come together for The Great Big Donco – a showcase of arts and culture which has been co-commissioned by the Yorkshire Festival team. There will also be a fan park at Doncaster Town Field Sports Club and street performers, like Granny Turismo.
There will be a send-off for the peloton from Centre Square, in Middlesbrough, on Sunday 1st May, followed by the Enjoy the Ride Carnival and bike parade inspired by the voyages of Captain Cook. A town centre community stage and street theatre add to the festivities. A fun day is also planned for Stewart Park for those who wish to spot the peloton from Captain Cook’s birthplace.
In a thrilling climax to the race, musicians, street performers and singers will be on hand to entertain spectators in Scarborough. The packed programme of events will feature performances by the Coastival choir outside the Rotunda Museum, a vintage band and music stage with Yorkshire Coast College on South Bay, and street theatre, as well as an after party at Farrer’s Bar and Brasserie at Scarborough Spa.
Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said:
“It’s fantastic that each of the start and finish towns for the Tour de Yorkshire and the Asda Women’s Tour de Yorkshire Race will be hosting exciting family-friendly events to entertain spectators and create a real buzz on the streets.
“The Tour de Yorkshire offers a unique opportunity for towns across the county to showcase themselves to the world, and as we enter into the last month of preparations I am sure that local communities will be vying to create exciting land art, fun and engaging street decorations and an atmosphere to remember.”
“The events in start and finish towns are being delivered by local communities and will give crowds a taste of what to expect during the Yorkshire Festival which is taking place between 16th June and 3rd July.”
This announcement follows last week’s news that Yorkshire’s own World Champion Lizzie Armitstead will compete in the Asda Women’s Tour de Yorkshire Race on Saturday 30th April. With a prize fund of more than £50,000, this makes it a very lucrative race. The 18 men’s teams and 14 women’s teams which will compete in the race have also been announced.
For more information on the Tour de Yorkshire please visit www.letouryorkshire.com
