Tasmanian puppetry company Terrapin will lead the creative direction of this year’s Myer City of Hobart Christmas Pageant, now in its 44th year.
The pageant will be held on Saturday, November 21 and is expected to draw more than 30,000 people to Hobart’s CBD.
Terrapin will run community creative workshops to help participating groups develop their floats and is building a brand-new puppet especially for the event.
The company has spent more than 40 years creating contemporary puppetry, giant roving puppets and interactive installations, performing across Tasmania, Australia and internationally.
Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the pageant is one of the city’s most loved events.
“Terrapin is a globally recognised Tasmanian arts organisation with an extraordinary ability to spark imagination and create memorable experiences for audiences of all ages,” she said.
“We’re excited to see how Terrapin’s creativity helps community groups develop vibrant and engaging entries and we can’t wait to unveil a spectacular new puppet at this year’s pageant.”
Reynolds encouraged schools, sporting clubs, arts groups, community organisations and local businesses to get involved.
Terrapin artistic director Sam Routledge said leading the pageant was a long-held ambition.
“What we love about the Myer City of Hobart Christmas Pageant is that it’s meeting people where they are,” he said.
“It’s the arts at its most approachable: free, outdoors and made side by side with the community.”
The City of Hobart is now calling for expressions of interest from community groups, performers, schools, clubs, organisations and community-focused businesses wanting to take part.
