Haldon St Festival Flashback

The Haldon Street Festival has developed to become a landmark event for local businesses such as Horizon Theatre, residents and visitors. This festival continues to bring our community together in a vivacious celebration that promotes the community. Local residents and visitors come together to celebrate community harmony and the theme of the festival - 'Respect, Unity & Peace'. The festival draws approximately 25,000 people to the heart of Lakemba's Town Centre, Haldon Street. It's here where audiences experience the ambiance of unique international cuisines, diverse cultures and great community spirit in a fun filled atmosphere. Haldon Street transforms into an Arabian Bazzare and is closed to provide open space for pedestrian traffic, dining, roving entertainment, free amusement rides and over 60 stalls full of international and gourmet food, merchandise, jewelry and produce. A key aspect of the festival is our exuberant Street Parade. Over 150 participants including Horizon's giant and body sized puppets make up this scenic performance initiating the festivities with a multitude of rhythms, floats and colour from Arabian, African, Indian, Chinese and Islander backgrounds. These cultures depict a few of many nationalities in our community. Our annual multicultural street parade entices audiences to Haldon Street for an early start to experience and cheer on the wonderful talents on show from our local entertainers from Horizon, schools, bands, community groups, and emergency service organisations. This video is a flash back to the festival's impact in 2003 and 2004 and developed as a collaboration between Horizon Theatre and Canterbury Council.