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In 1998 for example we chose the theme Out of the Woods and this inspired us to create Gnome costumes for the Moon carriers. These were so loved that we kept the Moon carriers as Gnomes ever since….adapting them to the themes where we could…Gastro-Gnomes, Astro-Gnomes, you get the picture. Part of the joy of being a Gnome was that you had a beard as a disguise, so you became part of a secret club and it allowed upstanding members of the community to ‘play their mas’ as they say in Trinidad and be a dancing prancing Gnome for the night!

Past themes

The Space theme cropped up when we did Lunar Landings in 2009 (see Huddersfield Examiner coverage here and their gallery of pictures here) and there was also a good showing of space related lanterns when we did ‘Up in the Air’ as a theme in 1996.

The Circus theme in 1992 generated some superb lanterns and was the year that the Ellis family climbed on board the Lantern-making ship, with Karima steering our lantern workshops into aspiring hubs of accessible creativity and Rachel now continues at the helm, ensuring that Moonrakers are rightly proud of their lantern creations. Our guest artists that year were SWAMP circus who ran circus skills sessions throughout the week – do you remember making a human pyramid?

Fruity Veg in 2001 was the only Festival that Satellite Arts were not involved in and was memorable for some brilliant Aubergine costumes, and the nose on the Moon! And for the Polar themed Festival in 1994 Karima made a giant Polar Bear that went on to illuminate the Christmas Ice Skating Rink in the Piazza later in the year.

To jog your memory, here are some other festival themes:

1990 – Mythical Beasts; 1991 – Music; 1997- Eastern Lights;

1997 – Island Worlds; 2000- Our Place (celebrating the Colne Valley);

2003 – Animal Magic; 2004 – Pantomime;                 

2006 – Maritime; 2013 – Time; 2015 – Landmarks; 2017 – Moonmentum Machines

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The preparation and run-up to Moonshine 2022 felt very different this year as we were back to normal life, all be it with some restrictions. We gave out over 600 packs for creating windows and were delighted that schools and businesses embraced making their own window pictures this year, with businesses in Upper Mills, along the canal creating a bespoke light installation! We ran some window workshops for children in the half term thanks to Colne Valley Help funding, alongside our on-line workshops and creative resources. 

Hundreds of households got involved and the streets were animated once more with an array of wonderful, illuminated pictures lit over 4 days for people to walk round Slaithwaite to find. 

Have a look at our 2022 gallery on Instagram

Moonshine 2022

Film 1: Commissioned from film-maker Andy Wicks as a resource to help us access support for the Moonraking Festival in the future.

Discover the Enchanting Moonshine Festival of Slaithwaite!

Film 2: KLTV visited ‘Slawit’ during this year’s festival to speak with co-ordinator, Gill Bond about the importance of the event to the local community and how they kept the spirit alive throughout the pandemic. 

Gill Bond and the Moonshine Festival on ITV Calendar

Film 3: Moonshine on Calendar News.  

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We supported participation with materials, ideas, on-line workshops and ‘How to’ videos created and delivered by community artists. A network of volunteer street ambassadors liaised with their neighbours to encourage them to take part and supply materials. 

Over 450 windows were created across the community, with a further 75 as a fringe event regionally, nationally and abroad, keeping the Moonshine bright until we can once more Rake out the Moon in Slaithwaite.

Moonshine Round-up Video

Click here to see BBC Look North news feature on the project

If you have enjoyed following and participating in the Moonshine Festival 2021 please consider donating to the Just Giving appeal launched by festival supporter Kath Shackleton to raise funds for Slaithwaite Moonraking Festival community events.

Moonshine Gallery

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