Creatures from the ancient seas will illuminate Bexleyheath at a special parade on Saturday 31 January.
The star of the show is a massive Basilosaurus lantern puppet. This large-scale, illuminated sculptural creation is based on the extinct prehistoric whale and will serve as the breathtaking centrepiece of the parade.
The parade begins outdoors under the canopy near H&M at the Broadway Shopping Centre at 5.15pm and then proceeds through the pedestrianised route of the Broadway.
Talented drummers from TARU Arts will join the procession, providing a rhythmic beat for the glowing marine life display.
Residents can include their very own sea creature creations in the display by attending a free prehistoric-themed lantern making craft workshop. The last drop-in workshops at Central Library in Bexleyheath are open from 9.30am to 2.30pm on Saturday 24 January and 10am to 3pm on Sunday 25 January.
Artist Miyuki Kasahara has been leading the workshops throughout January, guiding children and families to make their own prehistoric sea creature lantern.
Councillor Cafer Munur, Cabinet for Place Shaping, said:
Dozens of local families have been busy making lanterns in preparation for this special event that is sure to light up Bexleyheath with sound and colour. I would encourage everyone to come out and see the Basilosaurus come to life and to experience a truly unique new artwork, commissioned specially for Bexley as part of its groundbreaking Night Visions programme, as it's debuted in the town centre.”
Parade participants that have made lanterns should arrive at Central Library Bexleyheath at 4.30pm to collect their lanterns. All the handmade lanterns will come together to light up Bexleyheath Broadway for this one-of-a-kind celebration.
The event is being brought to Bexleyheath through a partnership between Bow Arts and Bexleyheath Business Improvement District as part of Night Visions. Night Visions is a festival of light-art themed events that has been made possible by £100,000 of investment from Arts Council England in London Borough of Bexley and its partners in Bexley Culture Network.
It forms part of #CelebratingBexley, a year-long programme of arts, culture and entertainment marking key local anniversaries including 60 years of the London Borough of Bexley, 500 years since the closure of Lesnes Abbey and 160 years of Crossness Engines.