When: 14th December 2014
Where: Greenwich, London
£: Entry costs £75 per horse (two people) and participants should aim to raise £200 in sponsorship money. Corporate entry costs £125. Costume hire is also available for £50. To apply to enter the race email entries@pantohorserace.org
What is it?
On Sunday 14th December 2014, the 5th annual London Pantomime Horse Race takes place in Greenwich, London.
The streets of Greenwich will be transformed into a course for comical cantering ponies, as 40 costumed participants race from Devonport House, stopping off at various pubs, to the finish line.
Once the horses have passed the finishing post, there will be a traditionally lively After-Party fundraiser, which will feature a mixture live acts and surprise guests dropping in for the festivities.
This year the Pantomime Horse Race will take on a special science fiction theme, and will see dozens of cosplayers including Darth Vader, Princess Leia, Queen Amidala, an R2D2 unit and a battalion of Stormtroopers, form a spectacular procession at the legendary Pre-Race Ceremony.
The race usually attracts thousands of supporters along the streets to cheer on their favourite furry gee-gees. The event has attracted celebrity support from the likes of Arthur Smith, Harry Hill, and Bill Bailey in past years. The absurd sight of galloping pantomime horses accompanied by crowds of fans in bizarre fancy dress makes this one of London’s quirky festive highlights.
The planned schedule for this year’s Pantomime Horse Race is as follows:
11am: The Pre-Race Ceremony featuring Star Wars procession, live music, performances and surprise special guests. Free to watch.
1pm: The London Pantomime Horse Race begins. Free to watch.
3pm: After-Party fundraiser featuring live performances and surprise appearances. This event is ticketed.
So far the event has raised thousands for Demelza Children’s Hospice. Demelza provides respite care, short breaks, symptom control and end of life care for children and young people with life limiting and life threatening conditions throughout south London, Kent and East Sussex.
More info: www.pantohorserace.org and www.facebook.com/pantohorserace