Slaithwaite Moonrakers Part 2: The Festival

If you haven't already go and read Slaithwaite Moonrakers: Part 1 of this series to learn about Slaithwaite's Moonraking legend.

Music and light

The Yorkshire weather had been kind to us, and it was a crisp Saturday in February when we arrived in Slaithwaite for the Moonraking festival. There was already a buzz in the air as people had been out all day enjoying the sunshine, and slowly lanterns were beginning to rear their heads above the crowds.

The festival takes place every two years in the February Half Term with a week of lantern making workshops and community events cumulating in the big festival day on the Saturday. Their motto is 'The odd festival in the odd year' owing to the fact that it falls every other year (2021, 23, 25 etc.). The in-between or 'even' years when the festival takes a break Slaithwaite hosts Moonshine . Residents make illuminated window-scapes from paper and cardboard that light up the village and turn it into one huge art gallery. So, no matter what, no February is complete without some kind of twinkling illuminations brightening up the village.

Each year has a theme and this year's was Slawit SHOP! It celebrates the centenary of the shops on Carr Lane and kicks off a year-long research project looking at memories of shopping locally. Accompanying lanterns included ice creams, apples, a slice of pizza, and a mobile shopping trolley!

We were entertained by music and dance and then, as the sun set, the story of the moonrakers was acted out. Enthusiastic smugglers raked lantern barrels (made by local schools) from the canal and were very nearly caught but as expected got away with it. The highlight of the evening is the lantern parade where the intricately crafted willow lanterns are carried throughout the village for all to see. With accompanying music, lights, and whooping it was a real treat for the senses.

I was taken aback by how busy it was both in numbers of onlookers and in participants of all ages and one couldn't escape the pride emanating from each person as they paraded past.

Village spirit

It speaks volumes that this year is the festival's 40th anniversary. The passion of the village is clear as is the invaluable nature of what the festival provides. It is a chance to showcase what makes Slaithwaite unique, both its deep-rooted heritage and its sense of humour. In a time when villages can feel less connected than ever, Slaithwaite proves that they can still come together with force.

As well as the chance to show off your creative spirit, the festival provides local businesses a chance to support one another. Special promotions run through the week as products are concocted exclusively for the festival. We saw Moonraking coffee, pizza, and even desserts. It is very much a village affair with a chance to shout about the best bits of Slaithwaite.

Deborah Marsland, Kirklees Museums Manager, attended the festival.

"The Moonraker Festival is a truly spectacular and unique sight on a cold February evening - lanterns, people and music stretching up and down the hills of Slawit for as far as the eye can see. It always amazes me that a small village community can come up with something as extraordinary as this (and has been doing so for 40 years!) through the communal effort of lantern making and the power of Colne Valley creativity, collaboration and tenacity!

It's free for all to access, which is even better, and celebrates the resourcefulness and creative thinking of today's community as well as the villagers in the historic Moonraking story, who were also very canny! This year's festival theme (supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund) explored the heritage of the town's historic shops and businesses, and their role in the making of Slawit today as a vibrant and beautiful place. As you can tell I am a proud Colne Valley resident and I never miss Moonraking, and am very much looking forward to 2027."

Finale

The festival ended with a spectacular finale where the moon was raised high above the canal to the chants of the crowds. "It takes a whole village to raise up the moon" they shouted. This was certainly my takeaway. The festival reaffirms what can be achieved when a community comes together and are allowed to let their creativity shine.

While Charles Napier's mural depicts the chaos of the moonraking legend it doesn't quite capture the feeling of community spirit and the light that emanated from the village that night.

Watch our Instagram reel and see if you can spot the story of the moonrakers being acted out, the themed lanterns, or the moon being raised!

Special thanks to everyone who took part to make the day so magical.

You can see Charles Reginald Napier's full mural series or explore the rest of Art UK: Kirklees Museums and Galleries art collection.