FROZEN fans will get the chance to Let It Go with stars from the blockbuster Disney movie when Santa arrives in Hull to kick-start the festive period.
A giant parade, which starts outside Hull New Theatre at 11am on Sunday, will wind its way around the city centre with a colourful collection of characters including Princesses Elsa, Anna and Olaf the Snowman joining Father Christmas.
Sarah Smith, of Princes Quay Shopping Centre, said this year's parade is set to be the biggest yet.
She said: "With just six weeks before Christmas we are looking forward to welcoming Santa to Hull and officially opening his Ice Palace Grotto at Princes Quay.
"It's exciting to be working in partnership with Hull Bid and Hull City Council to make our Santa Arrival Parade even bigger and better this year.
"Santa will arrive on a horse-drawn carriage with Anna, Elsa and Olaf from the film Frozen and a 6m-high Jack Frost, courtesy of Steve Elliot, and the Creative And Cultural Company
following.
"The procession goes through the city centre and everyone can follow the parade into Princes Quay as Santa will officially open his Ice Palace Grotto with friends from Frozen.
"So many people have wanted to be involved this year, which is brilliant.
"Hull New Theatre staff will be welcoming participants of the parade and waving us off.
"It will be a great event for families to enjoy and bring the city alive on a Sunday morning."
• To download a high-resolution version of the route map click here
As well as the film characters a host of others will be joining the parade including the Hull FC, Hull KR and Hull City club mascots, members of the Hull Angels Roller Dames and 15 Minis from the Old Skool crrtMini Club, which will be driven by reindeers to mark the occasion. Stirring seasonal tunes will be provided by the Beverley and District Pipe Band, while leading the procession from the front will be Hull's own Mally Welburn aboard his Christmas-themed land train. Mally said it was an honour to be asked to take part in the parade. He said: "I knew we were part of the Princes Quay Santa parade but I never knew we were leading it. "It's such a big honour. Going from the dole queue to leading the parade through Hull on my train is a massive buzz. "This has all happened in such a short space of time since we set up the business in April, but it just goes to show what you can do with a bit of hard graft, vision, belief and the right support behind you." Organisers have arranged for all participants in the parade to park for free in Princes Quay shopping centre. The Hull History Centre car park is also free to park and is available on a first come, first served basis.• Christmas 2014 gift guides, events listings and more
