The Parade will host a range of drawing activities and petting farm celebrating Watford's connection to classic annimated film Animal Farm today as part of the latest event in the Big Events Series.

The Big Draw will offer workshops where people can try drawing, printing and animation using fun techniques, including a hand-built carousel and hand-cranked roller contraptions, from 11am until 4pm.

The event is themed around Watford’s link to the animated film version of George Orwell’s Animal Farm, which was written, directed and produced by Watford-born animator Joy Batchelor.

Halas and Batchelor, which Joy formed with her husband John Halas, became one of the UK’s largest and most influential producers of animated films, pioneering new styles and techniques from paper cut-out figures through to computer animation. This year marks the centenary of Joy’s birth. 

Participants can create flip books from recycled material, develop an Animal Farm animation, draw farm animals and swap their pictures at a drawing exchange stall.

A Funky Farm dance workshop will feature children wearing their own, specially-created animal masks. Their performances will be filmed as an animation to be shown at the event as well as broadcast on line.     
An animal trail featuring small farm animals created by pupils at three local primary schools will be displayed along The Parade for people to find, there will be a mini petting farm with pygmy goats, chickens and pigs.

Elected Mayor Dorothy Thornhill said: "I am immensely proud of Watford’s connection to Joy Batchelor, her work was hugely influential and leaves a tremendous legacy. 

"The Big Draw is a wonderful tribute to her talent, providing a great opportunity for everybody to gain an insight into various drawing and animation techniques.  

"I’m also thrilled have reached the half way point in our Big Events series. Not only have we brought The Parade to life but it’s been fantastic to see the people of Watford having such fun in their town’."