Roundhay Park, Leeds, U.k. 2000
The Day We Went To The Love Parade.
What Is One Day That Makes An Everlasting Memory?
I am 21 years old and I’m pretty much living the dream. I work hard on the building sites and play football & party all weekend I have lots of mates and I’m living the single man’s life.
We all piled on to a minibus on the promenade in Rhyl, North Wales. It was some ungodly hour like 7:30 am which on a weekend is not a time you plan to ever be awake.
Our destination was Leeds, Yorkshire. As we were making our way to one of the biggest outdoor free dance music events ever to grace our shores.
At approximately 11 am we had parked up in the drop off zone and we gradually moved out and on to the main events area.
DJs were circulating on van mounted floats playing all the various genres of dance music. It was like a who’s who of star DJs.
Seb Fontaine, Judge Jules, Tiesto, Dave Pierce, Fatboy Slim & Pete Tong were some of the many artists on show.
This procession went on into the late afternoon. Everything & Everyone was happy and chilled just embracing the dance vibes.
I’m not trying to promote or endorse it but, the drugs that were being taken or consumed by people only had a euphoric and fantastic effect.
There was police on the perimeter of the event but I didn’t see or hear about any trouble or fighting.
Also dotted around the area were medics in case anyone felt unwell. A very young man who was filming for MTV; Russell Brand was endearing and sincere also funny too.
In the early evening as the sun started to set and the stars began to light up the night sky. The procession floats had stopped circulating.
All eyes were on the main stage as the “SUPERSTAR DJS” started to take it, in turn, to burst out with dance tunes and have what was then called a “Battle”.
When Pete Tong took to the main stage the hairs on the back of my neck stood up as I knew this was going to be something to behold.
The cacophony of cheering and dance tunes bellowed out into the night. 250,000 people had come to the love parade to enjoy all that dance music had to offer from across Europe.
I’m pretty sure 95 per cent of people in attendance would tell you “I was there” and that it is an amazing everlasting memory.
I have taken inspiration from Timothy Key regarding writing out of your comfort zone and also creating writing prompts.
Potentially I hope this story can be included in his writing prompt section. I have included his inspirational writing above and below. I encourage and endorse you to read the three articles.
I have also included a little clip from the love parade too.
Maybe you can use my writing prompt to inspire you?
What Is One Day That Makes An Everlasting Memory?
Brian Anthony Cumberlidge.
YouTube Clip.