Free Festival fun
Showstopper of an event
There’s something for everyone this year at the St.Helens Festival on 3rd and 4th July in Sherdley Park, St.Helens.
Come and experience the Company of Horsemen and their breathtaking stunts, where the trust between man and horse are taken to the extreme in the Main Arena.
The ever-popular H&M Dog Display Team will be performing their entertaining animal agility demonstrations. The Festival welcome back the fantastic Motostunts International Team and their daredevil stunts.
This year the Festival will bring the very best of British summertime right to your doorstep. Soak up the atmosphere and we will help you get into the summertime mood at our very own beach; keep the little ones entertained with buckets and spades, donkey rides, crazy golf or take a ride on our paddleboats. If it all proves too much, feel free to relax on the deckchairs and enjoy the summer sun.
Take away beautifully crafted items from jewellery to handmade fudges in the Craft, Flower and Heritage marquee- perfect gifts and treats for all ages.
There will be wildlife displays including opportunities to see meercats, rabbits, ducklings, cockroaches, snakes, scorpions, falcons - you may even have the chance to hold them!
Also check out the Civil War Society and step back in time with demonstrations showing how life was in the 17th century complete with a living camp- their skilful demonstrations are a must see attraction. Don’t forget the Rangers’ tent, they will be hosting demonstrations in country crafts and woodturning and many more. There will also be various exhibitions and displays from a wide range of historical groups from across the borough.
Celebrate the very best of music, dance and arts from local artists at the Festival in the Creative St.Helens area. Saturday’s Dance Marquee will host an international break-dancing competition featuring dancers from UK, Bulgaria, France, Germany and Spain hosted by the award winning UC Crew. Jam-packed with performances and talent from visual art exhibitions, dance and music groups, poetry reading, street entertainers - the list goes on! This year we have the renowned Haydock Male Voice Choir and Merseyside Dance Initiative who will be celebrating LEAP Contemporary Dance Festival’s 18th year with performances from artists from across the globe.
Take part in the Citadel’s Music Mecca workshops in MC’ing, DJ’ing, scrap band both Saturday and Sunday, get active with taster dance workshops or try your
hand at painting, ceramics, textiles or printing in the Visual Arts Marquee.
If you are sports mad, this year the Festival has a programme bursting with traditional sporting activities! The sports area should give football fans a chance to experience their very own taste of World Cup madness with Brazilian Soccer skills on Saturday and a football tournament for local youth teams on the Sunday in the Youth Hub.
Football Freestylers will be doing demonstration pieces and holding workshops for kids to get involved. Streetwise Soccer will be entertaining the crowds with freestyle footballers showcasing their skills performing tricks and giving you the chance to join in- learning a few tricks just in time for the World Cup Final.
Festival-goers can also take part in the ’Big Giveaway’ competition, or enjoy the funfair, Smiley Land Train, Morris dancing, classic cars, Super Jumper, Inflatables, Tiny Tanks, quads and - new for 2010 - miniature steam engines.
Says Councillor Barrie Grunewald, Cabinet Member for Culture, Communications and Town Centre: The views and opinions of visitors from 2009 have been taken into account and we have responded by putting together an entertainment programme to make this year’s Festival the best yet. Once again we have worked closely with community and voluntary groups, businesses, artists, performers, schools and sports clubs across the borough - making sure no one misses out on being involved in this fantastic family event".
For more information on what will be happening in each of the festival areas, see the links below:
Main Arena
Children’s Zone
Community, Country & Heritage
Creative St.Helens
Sports Activities
The Big Giveaway
For more information go to www.sthelens.gov.uk/events or telephone 01744 675326.
