AN ancient festival celebrating the life of a community will be held online for the first time.

Houghton Feast at Home will feature some of the much-loved aspects of the traditional festival as well as new ones, using a range of platforms including Facebook and You Tube programme highlights from Friday October 2 to October 11.

A virtual opening ceremony Friday at 7pm will kick things off, with people able to watch online as the Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor David Snowdon counts down and switches on the Houghton Feast lights.

People, who will have attended the parade, are invited to decorate their homes with balloons and bunting and take a trip down memory lane with footage of Carnival Parades of the past on Saturday. There is also virtual fancy dress competition for all the family to get involved in.

The Big Houghton Feast Quiz will take place online via Zoom on Monday October 5.

Councillor Kevin Johnston, chair of the Houghton Feast Steering Group said: “I am beyond proud of the efforts of the steering group this year to deliver such a fantastic programme under such challenging circumstances.

“We’re looking forward to over a week of great online content, from never before seen footage of Houghton in the 50’s to a virtual guided walk through the town.

“Houghton Feast has always been and will continue to be a true celebration of life here past, present and future.”

Cllr Linda Williams, Portfolio Holder for Vibrant City, added: “It was the people of the community who helped to re-introduce Houghton Feast more than fifty years ago, and whose support ever since has seen it continue to grow in both size and popularity year on year and this year will be no different.

“The event format may have changed this year, however what has always stayed the same is that Houghton Feast brings us all together in a public celebration of our community.”

A full programme of online events is available to view at www.houghtonfeast.co.uk. Houghton Feast which runs until Sunday, October 11, can also be followed Facebook.