A COLOURFUL new arts event is to be staged in the heart of the Lake District later this month.

The new ‘Ullswater Droving’ event, organised by the award-winning Eden Arts, will light up the lake on the evening of Wednesday October 26.

It will feature a procession of fire, masks and music which will take in an eight-mile sailing through the Lakeland night scape.

Newcastle-based street performers ‘Spark!’ jumping on board a traditional steamer at Glenridding. The illuminated drummers will combine light, sound and movement as they sail up the lake, arriving at Pooley Bridge just as darkness falls to meet a multitude of masked torch bearers.

As the procession winds its way through the historic village, Spark! will take to the main stage to entertain the crowds, where everyone can gather around the bonfire.

“We are very excited about this special one-off event to mark the recovery of flood-hit Ullswater," said Adrian Lochhead, Director of Eden Arts. "Taking place at half-term, this ‘mini-droving’ is great for all the family and will combine all the elements we love – light, colour, music, dressing up and above, plenty of fun.

"The sight of the LED lit drummers arriving to a torch-lit procession will definitely be a special moment and it will be the perfect warm-up for Penrith’s main Winter Droving event, which takes place on November 12.”

Rachel Bell, Group Marketing & Events Manager at Ullswater ‘Steamers,’ said: “We are really looking forward to welcoming the new Ullswater Droving. It will be a fantastic display of colour and light and the perfect opportunity for people to come together and celebrate the valley during the half term break.”

Spark are expected to leave Glenridding shortly before 5pm after giving a performance on the steamer jetty and the torch procession will begin at Pooley Bridge at 6pm.

The Ullswater Droving is a flood recovery event funded by Eden District Council and Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership.