Thousands of people are expected to take part in a parade to kickstart the Bollington Festival this weekend.
Around 35 groups will take part in the parade, which celebrates the theme ‘50 years of biomedical discoveries’, and hundreds of families are expected to watch the spectacle.
The event marks the opening weekend for the festival, this year celebrating its 50th birthday, featuring more than 100 events over 17 days. There will be an opening show on Friday ahead of Saturday’s parade.
Jon Beck, 50, festival chairman, said: “The marquee is going up and we’re all extremely excited. We start things off with a big variety show on Friday and the parade on Saturday should be a fantastic spectacle. The festival has something for all the family and Bollington should be very proud.”
The Bollington’s Best variety show is at the Recreation Ground on Friday, May 16 at 7.15pm. The parade starts at 11am on Saturday from the Poachers Inn on Ingersley Road, going to the Atax field near Bollington Leisure Centre.
There will be an afternoon for all the family featuring clog dancing, music, bouncy castle, real ale tent, archery, face painting, stalls and food.
The festival – which runs every four to seven years – includes comedy, dance, literature, music, arts, drama and magic. There will be a science scarecrow trail with scarecrows in public spaces and gardens throughout the town to depict biomedical discoveries.
The festival includes a Hollywood-style premiere for the Bollington Movie on the Recreation Ground on Tuesday, May 20. The stars will be on the red carpet from 6.45pm.
MP David Rutley said: “It’s good to see that after 50 years Bollington Festival is going from strength to strength and has something to offer for all the family. I would encourage residents and visitors to get involved.”
The festival runs from Friday, May 16, to Sunday, June 1. Go to bollingtonfestival.org.uk for the lineup. Tickets can be booked online or by calling 01625 578071.
