THE Top of The Town will be flooded with dancers as part of the annual Day of the Dead celebrations this year.

At this year’s event, onlookers will be able to get involved in this year’s parade, which takes place on Friday, 27 October, when the event will have its first ever flash mob.

Starting in Wote Street at 6.30pm, the festivities will get underway when members of dance schools will take part in the flashmob performance in Market Place.

The Day of the Dead event is inspired by the traditional Mexican festival known as Dia de los Muertos, which celebrates ancestry, culture and diversity.

Taking place in the Top of the Town from midday to 9pm, the event offers plenty of fun for everybody, with art and craft activities and delicious ethnic street food to tempt the taste buds.

Now in its the third year, as well as the flashmob the event will feature sugar skulls, Mariachi musicians, fire-breathers and illusionists, and culminates in the colourful parade with a giant illuminated spider.

Organised by Proteus Theatre Company on behalf of Basingstoke Together and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. Acclaimed company Copperdollar is working in collaboration with Proteus to create the artistic direction, and Scratchbuilt Productions will also be working on the project to deliver the giant spider for the parade.

Mary Swan, chief executive at Proteus, said: “Day of the Dead is a totally unique event and has been embraced and shaped over the past three years by the people of Basingstoke.

“Last year we saw a number of people coming for the parade in their own costumes and we’d love everyone to get involved like that this year – we’ll have DJs playing in Market Place until 9pm so everyone can party after the parade.

“It’s all about celebrating those we’ve lost and embracing the life we have – what could be better?”

To find out more about the Day of the Dead event, visit topofthetown.org.