Every year the spectacular parade marks the official start of the Strawberry Fair, showcasing costumes, dance, music, culture, and involving hundreds of local people. For 2011 the parade is back, but with twice as many performers and covering twice the distance. Come and see the fabulous pied piping parade through the street of Cambridge from 11am - 12noon. This year Strawberry Fair was selected to be part of Carnival Crossroads - a regional project led by the UK Centre for Carnival Arts which will be part of the London 2012 Festival.

PARADE ROUTE - 11.00 Christ's Pieces - moves along walkway from bus station, turns right onto St Andrews Street, fork left onto Sidney Street, up to the round church, turns left onto St Johns Street. Continue onto Trinity Street, turns left next to St Mary's Church. Completes a lap of the Market Square. Continues onto Market Street , right onto Sidney Street . Retrace steps up St Andrews Street and through walkway to Christ's Pieces, Cross Emmanuel Road and New Square Follow Fair Street to cross Maids Causeway 12.30 Arrive on Midsummer Common - SEE MAP BELOW

Carnival Crossroads
This year we have also teamed up with the UK Centre for Carnival Arts who are based in Luton. Strawberry Fair was selected to be part of Carnival Crossroads - a regional project led by Artistic Director Keith Khan (the man behind the Queen's Golden Jubilee parade in 2002, and the central show in the Millennium Dome). For 2011 the project involves 500 participants from groups and schools across the eastern region working with international artists towards performances at events in 5 different cities. In 2012 the participants will also be invited to take part in the London 2012 Festival and be part of the Olympic celebrations. In Cambridgeshire groups have been taking part in workshops over the past few weeks to create costumes and learn a hiphop-samba fusion routine which will be showcased as part of the Strawberry Fair parade. You will spot the Carnival Crossroads group with their stunning costumes, sharp moves and funky beats!

Más Make
In the tradition of the carnival Más Camps of Trinidad and Tobago, this year we welcomed local people to take part in a mass making activity during the build up to the Fair. All the costumes and décor showcased at the Fair has been made by local people of all ages, demonstrating what a wonderfully creative and vibrant city Cambridge is.