Thousands turn out to see annual Camel Parade in South Shields

South Shields camel parade and Spark drummers with fire display event

On Friday, December 6 the South Shields, Camel Parade illuminated Ocean Road in South Shields.

The event began at 5pm where the Three Wise Men, travelling on camels lead the procession down to the town’s seafront, on Ocean Road.

There were appearances from drumming group Spark! and colourful characters from stilt-walking shepherds and bouncing stars and Creative Seed’s illuminated costume characters.

Angels on stilts as part of the Camel Parade - a crowd favourite.

Attending with 20 month year old daughter, Gabrielle Condon, 34 said: “It’s my first time at the Camel Parade, it was really good and I really liked the angels on the stilts.

“It’s brilliant for the community and it’s good to see everyone come together in South Shields.”

Jim Martin, 31 originally from South Shields, but now works in London travelled with friend Rebecca Harper, 35 to see the parade.

He said: “I enjoyed it, it was fun and I finally got to see the camels.”

Rebecca added: “I have wanted to see the camels for years, we came to see them last year but they stuck in traffic and we missed them.

“We’ve travelled 300 miles to see the camels.”

Diane Whalley, who attended the parade with her daughter, said: “We missed the camels but the drummers and the angels were good!

“We got to see the camels afterwards though and we got to pet them.”

The three wise men on camels lead the way down to the seafront.

Stacey Reburn, who visits the camel parade every year with her family and now, newborn four week old son Danny, said: “My favourite part is the community spirit, everyone comes down to watch the parade and it was quite good that the camels made it down this year.”

After the parade, BBC Newcastle’s Anna Foster introduced further entertainment opposite Haven Point on Harbour Drive, featuring lots of Christmas music and the evening ended with a firework display on South Shields seafront.