Olympic cultural event set to visit (From Brentwood Weekly News)

Olympic cultural event set to visit

6:50am Saturday 30th June 2012 in News

SPARKS Will Fly as the region’s only countywide Olympic celebration comes to Brentwood.

The town is the last stop in Essex for the Sparks Will Fly event, which will have entertained more than 100,000 Essex residents since May 18.

The event, which is sold out, will be at the Brentwood Centre on Sunday, and feature music, a host of activities and workshops for all ages and a range of stalls and performances.

The Olympic-themed event, created in partnership with outdoor performance specialists Walk the Plank, also includes two mythical mascots, Boreas Zephyr and Marina Mightier.

Boreas will be coming to Brentwood to be presented with a commemorative glass bead.

The pair have been touring the county for more than a month collecting the specially-designed glass beads – created by artists from different Essex districts and boroughs.

Brentwood Council has worked with the Brentwood Leisure Trust, the Royal British Legion Youth Band, Brentwood’s Orchestras for Young Musicians, Orchestras Live and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and a host of community groups and organisations to bring the event, which 5,000 residents are set to enjoy.

Mark Reed, chairman of the council’s retail, community and culture panel, said: “The event is set to be an exciting and incredible day and a key event in the build up to the Olympic Torch Relay coming to our borough.

“It will be a fantastic showcase of the best of our very own arts, sports, activities, workshops, demonstrations, stalls and performances, all celebrating different cultures from around the globe.”

The extravaganza comes ahead of the finale in Chelmsford on July 6 at Hylands Park, which will feature stunning pyrotechnics and special effects to create a breathtaking showdown.