The stage is all set for two days filled with family fun
FAMILY festival GoFest launches in Manchester for the first time this weekend, bringing two days of sport, dance and live entertainment.
More than 40 activities are taking place over the weekend with masterclasses from top sports clubs such as Sale Sharks, Salford Red Devils and BatFast.
GoFest ambassadors and Olympic champions, Gail Emms and Roger Black, will also be there, sharing their success stories and giving budding sports stars some tips on how to go pro.
Sprinting Gold Medallist Roger Black said: “It’s just a brilliant weekend of fun and variety and I think variety is the key with so many people playing sports they have never tried or maybe even seen before.”
There is a wide variety of activity taking place, from rugby, badminton and dodgeball to kayaking, scuba diving and snorkelling.
The water activities take place at East Manchester Leisure Centre, on the same site as SportCity - so families should bring their swimwear along if they want to take part.
Helly Hanson WaterSports Centre will also be giving paddleboarding classes, however you must be able to swim 25m to take part in the session.
For those who want to bust a move, SOSA Dance fitness will be taking the main stage at 4pm on Saturday to teach a Latin carnival dance routine.
Not only that, but there’ll be a 45-minute Disco Fever party, where dancers can learn some 80s moves and take a step back in time.
From 5pm on Saturday acoustic singer from Dukinfield, Ryan Duckworth, will be singing some popular tracks and lively superhero dance act KerPow will be putting on a show for children. Take That 2 will also be performing, singing a medley of the band’s classic 90s tracks.
On Sunday, Manchester Rock Choir, Tasia Sky and boy band Exit 7 will bring the festival to a close as they perform throughout the day until 6pm.
Families can pre-book up to four activities online, however it’s based on a first come first serve basis and pre-booking will close on Thursday June 22 so you need to be quick to avoid missing out.
Adult tickets are £14 for one day and £20 for entry on both days.
Tickets for kids under 16 are £7 for one day and £10 for the full weekend.
The all-inclusive weekend ticket gives a family of four entry on both days and is £49.50. To book your tickets and view the full timetable visit www.gofest.co.uk.
WHAT is GoFest? GoFest is the UK’s Family Festival of Sport, Dance, Health and Fitness.
Set to unite families through sport, GoFest is the biggest and best multi-sport and fitness festival in the UK that also includes a fantastic line-up of main stage entertainment. Ticket holders can take part in as many of the 400 different sport and dance sessions on offer and enjoy all the entertainment with no extra charges.
HOW to Book Tickets – Online or On the Day?
You can buy tickets in advance from www.gofest. co.uk, however tickets are also available on the gate but are 20 per cent more expensive.
The benefit of buying in advance also allows ticket holders to pre-book their favourite activities. Four activities per person can be booked in advance. Many more sessions can be booked on the day.
Family tickets admit four people (including at least one adult), which works out at only £6 a head per day if you buy a whole weekend ticket, enabling everyone to take part in everything!
WHAT’S On?
All activities involve family-friendly, small group coaching sessions throughout the weekend. Most start on the hour and last 45 minutes. They are pitched at an all ability level so you’ll know what you are in for before you take part.
BOOKING Activities
You can pre-book four activities per person per day when you have purchased a ticket online at www.gofest.co.uk. You can also book more sessions when you get to GoFest on the day at the booking points at the Manchester Regional Arena. WHAT Happens if it Rains? Although the weather is set to be fine, over 40pc of the festival is inside. Popular sports such as paddle boarding, netball, basketball, gymnastics, fencing, canoeing and scuba diving are all available inside alongside squash, taekwondo, badminton, high jump, martial arts and table tennis. There will also be some dance and fitness classes available in the dance studios at East Manchester Leisure Centre and other sports arenas. Exhibitors are also all under the cover of gazebos.
WHERE is the Box Office?
This will be located outside to the right of the main reception door to Manchester Regional Arena and will be clearly visible. Please come to the box office on arrival to receive your wrist bands. Wrist bands will not be available at the Tennis Centre or East Manchester Leisure Centre and only wrist band holders can take part in the festival activities.
CAN People Just Come to watch?
Yes, spectator tickets can be bought online for just £4 for children (£7 on the gate), £7 for adults (£10 on the gate).
CHANGING Facilities
There are plenty of changing rooms and showers available inside Manchester Regional Arena.
ARE Dogs Allowed?
Unfortunately not; Manchester Regional Arena does not allow dogs on the premises. Guide Dogs will be allowed. PARKING If you intend to travel by car, please note that you will NOT be able to park at the Regional Arena itself but can park opposite the Tennis and Football centre (Blue Car Park) at Gate 2 of the Etihad complex off Alan Turing Way free of charge. The Blue Car Parks are approximately a five to 10 minute walk from Manchester Regional Arena.
The postcode to use for the Blue Car Parks is M11 3DU. Please note that this is a new postcode so may not be recognised by older sat navs.