People across the borough are being encouraged to unleash their imaginations to help create a brand-new mythical creature that will take centre stage at this year’s Basingstoke Festival opening parade.

Produced by Scratch Built Productions, audiences can join over 20 community groups, local schools, and over 500 marchers as The Parade of the Mythical Beasts launches the 15^th year of Basingstoke Festival.

Those watching the parade will see something magical stirring. A mysterious giant egg has been discovered in the town but whatever was inside has vanished. No one knows what it looks like, where it has gone, or why it chose Basingstoke.

And the Basingstoke Festival team is turning to residents to help solve the mystery. As part of the Beast of Basingstoke Drawing Competition, people of all ages across the borough are being given a unique opportunity to design what they think the ‘Beast of Basingstoke’ looks like.

The winning creation will be transformed into a large puppet built by Scratch Built Productions and will lead Basingstoke Festival’s opening parade from 5.30pm on Friday 19 June.

Entries will also be displayed in a special gallery in Festival Place, showcasing creativity from across the borough.

The parade will see a range of mystical beasts come to life through Basingstoke’s Top of the Town and Festival Place. Performances from Mr Wilson’s Second Liners, a unique blend of New Orleans brass band and 90s club classics, will lead a joyful street party, joined by the thunderous rhythms of the BSB Cavaliers and the Royal British Legion Band.

The excitement will carry on as Mr Wilson’s Second Liners continue the party vibe and Tit for Tat Circus will bring some mischief and mayhem with their new show A Disorder of Knights ending the evening with a bang and kickstarting three weekends of fantastic festival fun.

Cabinet Member Sport, Leisure and Culture Cllr Kerry Morrow said: “Our communities are a huge part of what makes Basingstoke Festival so special so there’s no better way of kicking off 15 years of the festival by encouraging everyone to create the star of the opening parade.

“It’s great news that everyone will get to see the fantastic designs that come forward and I can’t wait to see the winning design brought to life for everyone to enjoy.”

Scratch Built Production’s Chief Executive Officer and Director Becky Kitter added: “We are delighted to once again be producing the Festival Parade. The theme this year is The Parade of the Mythical Beasts where dragons, unicorns, phoenixes and an array of fantastical creatures will parade through our streets. In collaboration with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, we are launching a Design the Basingstoke Beast Competition to create the star of the opening parade.

“The competition is open to everyone, and we want to encourage as many people as possible to get involved. What will your creature look like? Will your beast be scaly, furry or spiky? How will it protect the people of Basingstoke?  Whether you prefer paint or pen, entries can be drawn or written and the incredible local puppet maker, Nick Ash, will bring the winning design to life.

“We can’t wait to see the incredible ideas that come forward and we look forward to introducing the Beast of Basingstoke to you at the opening parade on Friday 19 June.”

The competition opens on Wednesday 13 May and closes on Saturday 30 May 2026 via the Scratch Built website at  www.scratchbuiltproductions.com/whatsson, where there is more information and guidance on entering.

Basingstoke Festival runs from Friday 19 June to Sunday 5 July, bringing free outdoor arts, performances and entertainment to the town centre and beyond. More information about the festival is on the website at  www.BasingstokeFestival.co.uk or on Facebook @BasingstokeFestival and Instagram @BstokeFestival.

This project is supported using public funding by Arts Council England.