Leeds Bradford Airport flies to the rescue of happiness parade

YEADON Carnival have confirmed their much loved parade will be returning this July, thanks to entertainment funding from Leeds Bradford Airport.

In Mental Health Awareness Week Yeadon Carnival announced the airport will be sponsoring the entertainment, which this year will be surrounding the theme of Happiness, in a bid to promote positive mental health.

Jo Kenyon, 35, Carnival co-chair, says having Leeds Bradford Airport as Yeadon Carnival Entertainment sponsors means so much for the local community.

"We're putting a real focus on promoting positive mental health as it's such an important area, so the Happiness Parade will be a real opportunity to highlight the things that make people in the community happy!," she said.

"As our Entertainment sponsors Leeds Bradford Airport are also helping us put on some fantastic live music and entertainment, including a headline set from The Lulas, family favourites the Celtic Cowboys, the hugely talented Redshakes and fabulous local singer songwriter, Terri Shaltiel! Plus there will be dancers, magicians, circus performers, fun fair rides, bouncy castle, trike rides, classic cars, kids party games, and much much more! And we're also super excited to be working with Yeadon's very own Fairy Dogmother to put on a dog show as part of the Entertainment!"

John Cunliffe, Commercial & Strategy Director at Leeds Bradford Airport, said: "Yeadon Carnival is a fantastic event for families across the area and a great opportunity for the community to come together. We're delighted to be a partner this year and look forward to celebrations getting underway in July."

Yeadon Carnival have also announced local schoolboy Ewan Law will be a Happiness Ambassador for the carnival. Ewan made the headlines earlier this year for spreading ‘happiness’ in the local area by doing random acts of kindness, saving his pocket money to buy and give flowers to local people. Ewan joined some of the carnival team at Leeds Bradford Airport earlier this week to promote Happiness to visitors.

Carnival Co-Chair Paul Wilkinson added: "The Parade is a huge highlight of the carnival, much loved by the local community and prior to the pandemic was a tradition that had been going for over 100 years. Sadly the parade hasn't been able to go ahead for a number of years now due to funding (people don't realise how expensive it is to simply put on a parade) and lack of volunteers. But this year thanks to the amazing support from Leeds Bradford Airport, and local councillors, the parade will be returning.

"We've also had great support from Carnival Sponsors Morrish Solicitors and Manning station estate agents, who's support has been vital to keeping the carnival going!"

The Carnival will take place on Saturday, July 1 with the parade starting at 11am at Yeadon Town Hall, leading up to Yeadon Cricket Club for all the stalls and entertainment until 4pm.

Yeadon Carnival are still on the hunt for people to help out on the day, even if it's just for an hour or two. If you can spare any time helping at the Carnival please contact [email protected]

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