There was a real buzz around Burnage on Sunday 5th July as the neighbourhood came together for the first ever Big Burnage Parade, a vibrant celebration of community spirit.
From colourful costumes and live performances to families lining the streets, the parade showcased everything that makes Burnage special. Long before the music started and the crowds gathered, another transformation had already taken place.
Forty colourful banners lined the parade route, turning the streets into an open air gallery celebrating the heritage of Burnage. Each banner featured artwork created by local children during community workshops and digitally brought to life by artist Sam Edwards (known in the art world as Phoebe Foxtrot).
We were proud to print and install all 40 banners free of charge, donating the project as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting communities through meaningful social responsibility initiatives.
More Than Just Banners
Delivered in partnership with Manchester City Council and Amey, who manage the city’s street lighting infrastructure, the banners quickly became one of the defining features of the event.
Each design celebrated someone with a connection to Burnage who had been nominated by local residents, creating a colourful trail that reflected the area’s rich history and diverse community. The banners also formed part of the day’s treasure hunt, encouraging visitors to spot the people featured across all 40 designs as they made their way along the parade route.
Although the event lasted just one day, the banners will continue telling Burnage’s story for another year, remaining on display until the 22nd June, 2027.
Every installation was GPS tagged and photographed by our team, creating a complete record of all banner locations while ensuring every banner was installed to the highest standard.
A Project Close to Home
Our installer, Neil, who grew up in Burnage, helped bring the project to life with his knowledge of the area. Thanks to his expertise, all banners were in place ahead of schedule, ready to welcome the community ahead of the parade.
On the big day, our Campaign Manager, Tom Downes, travelled to Burnage to represent Bay Media and celebrate the success of the project alongside the organisers, artists and wider project partners during the official photo opportunities.
Tom wasn’t the only Bay Media team member at the event. His four-legged assistant, Arty, also joined the celebrations and quickly became one of the day’s unexpected stars.
Proud to Support Local Communities
While we deliver impactful campaigns across the UK every day, the Big Burnage Parade is a reminder that outdoor media can go beyond advertising, helping communities tell their stories.
Ieuan Marsh, Managing Director at Bay Media, commented:
“We were proud to support the first Big Burnage Parade by printing and installing all 40 banners free of charge. Seeing artwork created by local children displayed across their own streets is exactly the kind of project we love being part of, and it was a pleasure working alongside Manchester City Council, Amey and the community to bring it to life.”
“We were proud to support the first Big Burnage Parade by printing and installing all 40 banners free of charge. Seeing artwork created by local children displayed across their own streets is exactly the kind of project we love being part of, and it was a pleasure working alongside Manchester City Council, Amey and the community to bring it to life.”
The success of the inaugural Big Burnage Parade demonstrates what can be achieved when local organisations, volunteers, artists and businesses come together with a shared vision. We’re proud to have played a small part in an event that will be remembered by the community for years to come.
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