Preparations are now at an advanced stage for the return of the annual Saint George’s Day celebrations taking place in Gravesham and Dartford on Friday 21st April. 24 local schools across the two boroughs have participated in creative arts workshops over the past few weeks and they will showcase their creations during the school parades.

The festivities start in Gravesend Town Centre at 9.45am and finish at 11.30am and take place in Dartford between 12.45pm and 2.30pm. Alongside the schools there will be a programme of entertainment including traditional and contemporary brass bands, fusion Dhol drummers, folk musicians, a musical Victoria era Pram, Saint George himself and a large scale dragon.

In addition, on Saturday April 22nd there will be a programme of activity in Dartford Town Centre between 10am and 2pm including an opportunity to have a selfie with Saint George and the Dragon, as well as music and entertainment for families.

The ethos of the events is to celebrate diverse England in the context of 2023, bringing communities together as well as educating young people about Saint George the patron Saint of England.

The annual celebrations are produced by Cohesion Plus and are supported by Dartford Borough Council, Gravesham Borough Council, Kent Equality Cohesion Council, and Arts Council England.

Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL the Artistic Director of Cohesion Plus commented “It’s that time of the year again and as always, we are incredibly pleased to once again be delivering St George’s day celebrations. Saint George’s day is a wonderful example of the how the patron Saint of England can be celebrated by the diverse cultural mixing pot that is Kent. It is great to be working with the local schools and performing artists again who make the celebrations so special. I hope like previous years that the local community will come out and wave the flag of Saint George with pride. The celebrations are about celebrating the local community and what binds us together.”