A special delivery is due to arrive in the city next week, with three giant cartoon postcards set to commemorate the fourth annual Manchester Day.
The bright billboards are a nod to 1950s-style caricature cards – an era when British holidaymakers always had their fun in the sun in places such as Blackpool and Scarborough.
The wooden boards contribute to the ‘wish you were here’ theme of the Manchester Day parade, which takes place on Sunday June 2.
Councillor Pat Karney, chair of Manchester Day, said: “I want as many people as possible to have their pictures taken with the billboards.
“They can send them as virtual photo postcards to friends and family all over the world – who will undoubtedly wish they were here for our fabulous itinerary of events this summer.”
Visitors will have the chance to pose with the cheeky cards and snap a shot to send to friends and family as part of the goal to turn Manchester into a vibrant tourist destination for the summer.
The three giant postcards will appear on St Ann’s Square on bank holiday Monday from 10am before touring Piccadilly Gardens in the following two days.
After stopping off in Exchange Square on Thursday May 30 and Friday May 31, they will end their journey in Albert Square for the parade on Sunday.
With crowds of more than 50,000 packing into the city centre last year, next Sunday’s event is hoping to attract even more people with its celebration of the city’s achievements through floats and artwork.
The parade was created in 2010 with the ambition of celebrating the creativity and diversity synonymous with the city.
The event, organised by Manchester City Council and Walk the Plank, has proven to be a spectacular edition to the city’s annual calendar, with more than 2,400 participants from 90 different community groups and charities.
The parade will start in Deansgate from 2pm before travelling around the city.
For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook..
