Coventry to host an October Plenty procession today
Live performances will be taking place throughout the day to celebrate the harvest season
Today, Coventry will host an October Plenty procession to celebrate the harvest season.
Live performances will be taking place throughout the day at Coventry Cathedral and FarGo Village for a family-friendly celebration of harvest traditions, storytelling, food and theatre.
The procession will be led by a striking centre piece, The Corn Queene, a 3-metre-tall figure made from wheat, fruit and vegetables.
This week locals have been teaming up to create the iconic figure by helping weave corn into skirts, string vegetables into garlands, and contribute handmade decorations and seasonal produce, all while learning about the rich harvest traditions behind the celebration.
Once the procession arrives at FarGo Village, there will be an afternoon of entertainment featuring live folk music, traditional dancing, food from local traders, and interactive street theatre.
The day ends with the ceremonial stripping of the Corne Queene, whose bounty of fruit and vegetables will be shared with the crowd.
Artistic director of Bladder & String, a Coventry-based theatre Company, Connor Alexander, who has helped produce the October Plenty since 2016, said he is excited to be bringing the celebration to Coventry from London.
Connor said: “It’s a real privilege to help bring the October Plenty to Coventry and share it with new audiences after some hugely successful years in the capital attracting thousands of people each year.
“Coventry has a rich cultural heritage and a strong tradition of community celebration, so its historic centre feels like the perfect place for this festival to grow and thrive, and we hope to see plenty of people joining us throughout the week.”