THE finale of the 'Light Up Thurrock' programme of events will take place in Grays on Friday, (8 March),

The event will be the conclusion of a series of community gatherings oganised by the Arts Outburst group that have brought music, performance, light installations and visual art to Thurrock.

Events began in Purfleet almost a year ago: https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/purfleet-was-lit-up-to-the-beat-to-drums-176258

On Friday residents are invited to meet up with Arts Outburst members and staff and students from South Essex College, that have supported the event, by gathering at Kilverts Field by the waterfront in Grays town anytime from 4.30pm to enjoy some pre-event entertainment and activity before a lantern parade that will being at around 6pm.

The will feature Light Up Brass Band - MisLED and Same Sky with their lanterns.

MisLED will lead the parade via Grays High Street, past the Thameside Theatre and on to Grays Town Park where the event will continue.

Anyone is welcome to join the parade, dress up 'nice 'n bright' and to bring along lanterns, fairy lights and torches.

Staff and volunteers will marshall the route, which has a mix of footpaths and road walking where suitable (within road closures).

The parade's arrival at Grays Town Park, where there will be a number of attractions, will be marked with a performance by MisLED brass

Among those at Kilverst and Grays Town Park will be Explore Art Outburst's own Community Arts staples, the return of the Neon Garden, a Selfie Station and 2024 art piece, Faces of Thurrock. Enjoy Same Sky's impressive lantern installations, Emergency Exit Arts' Butterflies... Pif-Paf Theatre's Worker Moths, Face Painting and Dance Performances by South essex College students. The Essex & London Gaming Bus will also be in attendance.