Festival parade Renewed

a real carnival atmosphere!

Kuopio Dance Festival’s traditional festival parade will make a major makeover this year. For the first time ever, the parade will take on a competition format and will be bigger than ever! 

“The aim is to bring to the festival an authentic, colourful and fun Southern European carnival atmosphere,” says Salima Peippo, the Festival’s Director. 

The parade will take place on Saturday 17 June and can be entered by teams of any size, from 5 to 20 people, representing any organisation. The team will design the ensemble and theme of their choice, which may include dancing, costumes and make-up to match the theme. 

“The procession is not looking for professional performers, but to encourage any group to participate. With careful planning, teamwork and a good idea, any team can win the grand prize,” says Peippo. 

The parade will set off at 10am from a location to be announced later in the Kuopio city centre, and will finish at the Kuopio Market Square, where the prize-giving ceremony will take place. As a prize, the jury will award the winning team a grand prize of 1000 €. The second prize will be 500 €. The competition is sponsored by Peeässä. 

Areas to be judged include team spirit and team unity, creativity and originality, difficulty and showmanship of choreography, audience contact and presentation. 

Registration for the parade is open from 1 March to 28 May, so get your group together and come and create a memorable carnival procession! 

Find out the rules and sign up.