Fright Night spectacular returns to Sheffield city centre
Professor Vanessa Toulmin, Head of Cultural Engagement at the University of Sheffield, led a parade of zombies and ghoulish voodoo attractions at this year’s Halloween Fright Night celebrations yesterday (28 October 2012).
Yellow Bus Events, working with Professor Vanessa’s curation, secured Arts Council funding to support the University’s involvement in Fright Night, now in its fifth year and established as Britain’s biggest Halloween carnival.
The theme this year was voodoo, transforming the Winter Garden into the Zombie Garden and Tudor Square into Voodoo Square with a troupe of zombies made up of 23 students from all nationalities, who entertained audiences with creepy performances and spooky dances.
A giant talking crystal ball, a motorized ghost ship, ghost trains and haunted houses satisfied the thrill-seeking Halloween carnival goers alongside urban dance, stilt walkers, a fashion catwalk and ghost tours of the city.
Tudor Square also saw street theatre, including the ever-popular Shopping Trolly Grannies Sheffield-based jazz and blues musicians who formed Barron Semane and the Mystery Orchestra for the occasion.
The free event attracted over 40,000 people, closing roads into the city centre for the mass promenade of zombies and ghouls through the streets of Sheffield.
Professor Toulmin said: "Fairs have always had a community element. Fright Night is Sheffield’s large-scale city community event, bringing everyone across the city together in a long-standing tradition. The celebration of Halloween isn’t as American as some people may think. It has a strong Celtic tradition and amongst Catholic communities was always a popular alternative to celebrating bonfire night."
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