FESTIVAL CELEBRATES DIVERSITY OF THE CITY
NEW FESTIVAL DRAWS THOUSANDS OF VISITORS TO PARK
THOUSANDS of people descended on Platt Fields Park for the first Festival of Manchester – a huge gathering to celebrate diversity and community in the city.
The family-friendly event on Saturday featured a range of activities, musical performances, sports and cultural demonstrations.
Organisers said around 10,000 people attended the festival, which ran from noon until 9pm. It culminated in a memorable display on the park’s lake, put together by arts collective Walk The Plank.
A huge specially-made swan lit up the sky as the sun went down, with musicians playing on board.
The festival could now become an annual event on Manchester’s civic calendar.
Coun Luthfur Rahman, Manchester council’s executive member for culture and leisure, said: “It was a really great day. We have had very positive feedback.
“The whole idea behind the festival is to bring together all the different cultures and communities of Manchester for one event to celebrate the great city that we live in.
“It was a family-friendly day and a lot of kids were able to get involved.
“There was arts and crafts, badge making, face painting - they loved it.
“We had over 60 community organisations taking part from all over the city.
“Most people were mesmerised by the swan, it was a very memorable end to the day.”
Acts on the music stage included the Manchester Gay and Lesbian Choir, ska covers band Baked A La Ska and the Manchester International Roots Orchestra.
There were dance performances throughout the day and visitors also got involved with workshops held by the Chinese Classical dance and the Manchester Samba band.
For the sport-loving visitor, there was plenty to do, with the Great Britain BMX team showing off their skills on two wheels .
There was also representatives from England’s squash and netball teams.
The arts and crafts area included sessions from organisations including Manchester Airport, Whitworth Art Gallery and the Manchester International Festival.
Coun Rahman said he anticipates that the event will become an annual fixture in Manchester’s calendar.
He said: “Lots of people I was speaking to were asking when the next event will be.”