On Saturday 8th June, Cross Flatts Park in Beeston will see thousands of people from all the different local communities flock into the park as it plays host to the 19th annual Beeston Festival.
Hilary Benn MP will officially open the free festival at 12pm. This kicks off an action-packed afternoon of music, dance, children’s activities, sports, the fairground and the Bazaar. The festival will also be visited by Cllr Tom Murray (the Lord Mayor of Leeds) and by Ronnie The Rhino.
This year’s Bazaar will feature over 90 stalls run by local people and community groups, selling everything from clothing and jewellery to plants and bric-a-brac.
There will be entertainment and live music over four stages including Leeds band Middleman and from Zimbabwe Harare featuring Kudaushe Matimba on the Main Stage.
The Acoustic stage and the Leeds Music Trust stage will host a diverse line-up of local acoustic, folk and rock talent throughout the afternoon, whilst Belly Dancing, Cheerleading and martial arts will take place in the Arena.
Local organisations Shooting Stars and Hamara have teamed up with coaches from the Council’s Sports Development Unit to put on a range of sporting activities including cricket, football, tennis and disabled sports such as Bocchia. There will also be inflatables, a climbing wall, DJ-ing and craft activities for children and young people.
The day wouldn’t be complete without something to eat, so as ever there will be plenty of great food on offer including Asian and Caribbean food, a barbecue and the café serving tea and cakes.
Beeston Festival is a free event which is organised and run by Beeston residents, in their spare time, with financial support from grants and sponsorship. The festival promotes racial harmony, local regeneration, community sports and arts, and environmental education. The festival is staffed by a team of hard-working volunteers from the South Leeds area who help make the day happen.
Councillor Angela Gabriel, chair of the Festival committee, said:
“The Beeston Festival is a great fun family day out which kicks-off lots of exciting events throughout the summer in Cross Flatts Park.
“This year’s festival will be bigger and better than ever, and I hope as many people as possible from the local area, and indeed all over the city, will come along on Saturday.
“There will be lots of fun activities with something for everyone to enjoy, and the festival will also be a great opportunity for people to find out what a fabulous place Beeston is, and how much the area and its people have to offer.”
