Get ready for a year of food, drink and fun
IT looks like 2018 is going to be a busy year. There’s all sorts of stuff going on in town over the next 12 months, kicking off this Saturday when the Rochdale Food and Drink Festival is staged for the first time.
There will be a packed menu of mouth-watering fare, star chefs, bars, music and family entertainment.
On Sunday, April 15, the popular Rochdale Wedding Show returns, with hundreds of couples planning to tie the knot heading to the town hall alongside more than 35 of the borough’s suppliers plus breath-taking catwalk shows.
On Saturday and Sunday, May 26-27, the Street Eat food event will be tickling tastebuds again in Rochdale Town Hall square over the Bank Holiday weekend, celebrating the best local restaurants and the town’s growing food scene.
Organised by Rochdale Town Centre Management and supported by the council, the event will feature handpicked artisan food, a music stage, suppliers and producers – as well as pop-up bars.
On June 29 and 30 Rochdale Digital Festival returns, bringing together people and technology, allowing everyone the opportunity to explore the digital scene in the borNovember ough and get hands-on experience with the latest gadgets.
Throughout July the borough will be bursting with dazzling colour during Rochdale in Bloom accompanied by planting and environmental projects boroughwide.
Rochdale Feel Good Festival is back on Saturday, August 18, for another showcase of top class entertainment, food and culture, headlined by rock band Feeder.
There will be live music across indoor venues, a main stage against the backdrop of the town hall, sponsored by The Flying Horse Hotel, family entertainment plus quality food and drink.
Williams BMW Rochdale Half Marathon, 10K and Fun Run will be staged on Sunday, October 7. Since 2015 over 3,200 people have taken part in the event, which sets out on routes taking in town and some of the north west’s most picturesque countryside scenes.
That’s followed by a week of arts and culture thanks to Rochdale Literature and Ideas Festival, which takes place from Monday, October 15, to Monday October 22.
Expect a packed week for all ages, covering drama, comedy, poetry, spoken word, visual arts and children’s shows.
Rochdale Beer Festival, in association with CAMRA, returns on 15-17, and November will also see festive events including a Christmas market, light switch-ons and New Year’s Eve firework displays.
Coun Janet Emsley, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, community and culture, said: “There’s a lot to look forward to and this programme of events is another significant commitment by the council to give residents and visitors a lot of good reasons to keep coming into town, supporting our shops, businesses and attractions, as well as generating positive publicity for the borough week after week.
“We’re certainly not standing still either - even with the well-established events you will notice improvements and new ideas, all designed with visitors in mind.
“As always the council will also be supporting numerous other events organised by community groups and individuals which make up a busy calendar.”
For information on events in the borough visit rochdale.gov.uk/events.