PHPS behind Stoke centenary events

PHPS Behind Stoke Centenary Events: A Celebration of Community and Creativity

The City of Stoke-on-Trent has been celebrating its centenary. We’ve proudly worked with the city council and Stoke Creates to support the People’s Parade. This exciting event helped the people of the Potteries put their best foot forward, parade in style, party in the park, and dance in the streets of Piccadilly. PHPS behind Stoke centenary events has been at the heart of it all, supporting every step of the way.

A Parade Full of Pride

On Saturday 7th June, the community’s creative efforts came together in a spectacular display. The People’s Parade travelled along College Road and into the city centre. Large-scale puppets, powered by people, represented the many communities that call Stoke-on-Trent home.

As a result, the streets came alive with colour, sound, and movement. The celebrations ended with a lively Party in Hanley Park, followed by a DJ-led street party in Piccadilly.

Behind the Scenes with PHPS

The PHPS team were thrilled to see months of hard work pay off. We created detailed plans for site layouts and managed both the Party in the Park and the Street Party 100.

PHPS behind Stoke centenary events worked on the ground, marshalling the site, supporting performers, and producing live music and technical elements. This behind-the-scenes work helped everything run smoothly on the day.

Honey Box Live Brings the Vibe

Our community programme, Honey Box Live, added energy and connection to the Party in the Park. The Honey Box stage featured four local bands and three solo performers.

Additionally, audiences enjoyed spoken word performances from Stoke-on-Trent’s Centenary Poet Laureate, Nick Degg, and former Staffordshire Poet Laureate, Emily Galvin Wilson. Meanwhile, the powerful rhythms of bands like Kilne and Art Brasil brought people together. It all felt wonderfully local—especially since Art Brasil rehearse at our King Street Studios.

A Word from Our Director

“We’ve spent decades supporting business, arts, and cultural events in The Potteries. Being part of the centenary—the Party in the Park, People’s Parade, and the Stoke 100 Street Party—was an honour.

However, what really stood out was how the city came together. This was more than an event. It was a shared celebration of pride and unity. It showed there’s much more to Stoke than just pot banks and pottery. Communities across the city marked the occasion in style. We were proud to help bring that vision to life.”

A Warm Return to The Potteries

Our new Project Development and Marketing Manager, Gary Cicinskas, returned to Stoke for his first day on the job.

“I’ve worked on many local projects before, including the New Vic Theatre’s Appetite programme. So, I already knew many of the organisations involved.

Even in the rain, the creativity and Stokie spirit were unmistakable. Just when I thought the parade was winding down, another colourful group came dancing past. People were smiling through the drizzle like it was sunshine.

That’s exactly what I’ve missed—the culture, the connection, and how this community always comes together. I’m excited to be back and to work on more amazing events with the PHPS team.”

A True Showcase of PHPS

This centenary celebration captured the spirit and capabilities of PHPS behind Stoke centenary events. From logistics and planning to staging, lighting, and sound, we brought creativity and professionalism to the heart of North Staffordshire’s cultural scene.

Happy 100^th anniversary, Stoke-on-Trent—here’s to the next century!