The third annual canal-side festival at Middlewood Locks inSalford returns next month with an action-packed schedule for all ages.
The free community event is part of a programme to celebratethe 10th anniversary of Middlewood Locks along with Salford’s centenary. Takingplace on Saturday 4th July from 3pm to 10pm, Middlewood Locks Fest offers alively, family-friendly free event including live music, colourful parades,children’s workshops, a makers market, water activities street food vendors anda fabulous light and fire display as night falls bringing the event to a close.
Attendees can expect activities throughout the day and intothe evening, providing entertainment and community spirit for residents andvisitors alike. A key highlight thisyear is the Wagon Train – a pop-up mobile festival commissioned by Salford CityCouncil as part of the Salford centenary celebrations and produced by Walk thePlank, featuring free, family-friendly entertainment including music, poetry,play space, karaoke, and talent competitions.
Live entertainment is set to include a high energy paradefrom Batala Afro-Brazilian percussion act playing samba-reggae rhythms. The internationallyacclaimed recording artist Oojami will also take centre stage with a DJ setblending traditional Turkish and Eastern melodies with modern urban beats, drumand base, dub, and English vocals.
Indie-folk duo, Honest Michael will perform music with amixture of humour and heart drawing inspiration from love and nature, whilst Salford’svery own Barton Belles community choir will deliver a cappella and choralrepertoire of pop, Motown, jazz and folk.
The makers market will be back bringing together localmakers, artisans, performers and creators selling a range of beautiful productssuch as jewellery, plants, artwork, clothes and produce.
The event will offer plentiful food and drink options fromlocal vendors alongside fun activities such as facepainting, hook-a-duck andarts and crafts.
On-the-water fun includes rafted canoe trips and aspectacular sunset light and fire installation with the ‘Spark Drummers’ bringingproceedings to a lively end at 10pm.
The festival is being made possible through sponsorship fromScarborough Group International, the developer and custodian of MiddlewoodLocks, Joint venture partners Metro Holdings PLC, and Get Living, thebuild-to-rent operator. Produced in collaboration with the outdoor eventsproduction team at Walk the Plank, the event is also supported by Manchester,Bolton & Bury Canal Society and Canal & River Trust, with funding fromGMCA.
Nicola Wallis, Group Sales & Marketing Director atScarborough Group International (SGI), said,
“We are delighted to be hosting our third annual MiddlewoodLocks Fest next month, which also coincides with our 10th anniversary. We are also thrilled to play a key part in thewider Salford centenary celebrations, which have been taking place across thecity.
“Middlewood Locks Fest has become a very popular event forthe local community, with an inclusive programme of events which caters foreveryone. It is great to see peoplecoming together and enjoying the neighbourhood that we have carefully curatedas a thriving destination as well as a place to live.
“With over 2,600 people now living at Middlewood Locks thereis a wonderful sense of community and place where outdoor activities are reallysupported by the beautiful waterside setting, curated green spaces and engagingnew public realm.”
Bethany Skeels at Get Living, said,
“Middlewood Locks Fest is a brilliant example of the energyand community spirit that make this neighbourhood so special. We’re pleased tobe supporting the festival once again and helping to create a day that bringsresidents, visitors and local businesses together to enjoy the canal-sidesetting, celebrate Salford’s creativity and make the most of everythingMiddlewood Locks has to offer.”
Paul Hindle of Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal Society,said,
“The canal has always been part of Salford’s story, and itis exciting to see it becoming a place people can enjoy in new ways today. Byopening up the waterside for leisure, activity and shared experiences,Middlewood Locks Fest helps reconnect the community with this important pieceof local heritage.”
Ben Turner at Walk the Plank, said,
“This year, we’re bringing even more life to the canal with abigger event programme which invites people of all ages to get involved. Aftersuch a fantastic response last year, we wanted to build on that momentum andcreate another joyful, creative celebration for the whole community.”
Railings show apartment virtual tour:
https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=d9JDQgVRvHg
Middlewood Locks Instagram: Middlewood Locks @middlewoodlocks
Middlewood Locks website: www.middlewood-locks.co.uk
