When is Beeston Festival?

Beeston Festival returns to Cross Flatts Park on Saturday 4 June 2016 from 12-5pm and, taking the Rio Olympics as its inspiration, the organisers have given it a Carnival flavour.

Pepperjam on stage last year. Photo: Paul Bullivant
Pepperjam on stage last year. Photo: Paul Bullivant

Ahead of the official opening a parade will snake around the park. There aren’t many samba bands in Beeston, so instead this procession will be led by Dohl drummers.

The organisers have worked with two local music charities, Leeds Music Trust and Cloth Cat, to bring two stages offering live music from around the world.

Headlining the main stage will be The Ukrainians – Britain’s top Cossack folk-punk ensemble! The line up, which has been put together with help from the Leeds Music Trust, will also take in Cuban Salsa, feel-good reggae, Hindi classics and Bollywood scorchers plus the ever popular Caribbean steel pans.

The Cloth Cat stage offerings will be just as diverse with Eastern European and Gipsy Roma folk music, African drumming and New Orleans swing from headliners The Big Easy.

The Arena will showcase local dance and martial arts groups as well as giving festival goers to join in with Zumba or try a bit of belly dancing.

There’s lots for young people to do. As well as the climbing wall and inflatables, there will Zorb balls for those who always wanted to be a human billiard ball! There will be plenty of sport to enjoy and the fun fair.

Older festival goers might prefer to browse the hundred stalls that make up the Bazaar. There you will find food, gifts, cloths, jewellery, plants as well as Festival’s own cafe, barbecue, cake, jams and book stalls.

The festival is organised by a committee of local residents. Chair, Cllr Angela Gabriel said:

“Beeston is gearing up for yet another great day out for all the family at Beeston Festival. Come and see Beeston at its best.”

This year’s festival is sponsored by Unity Homes & Enterprise. Their Chief Executive Ali Akbor commented:

“Beeston Festival has become a highlight in the Leeds summer calendar and, alongside local residents, attracts many people from outside the area to celebrate what is best about Beeston.

“Unity is strongly committed to Beeston and, through our support for the Festival, want to play the fullest possible part to promote the many cultural and community attractions it has to offer.”

The festival has also received funding from The National Lottery, Inner South Community Committee, Sport Relief Community Cash from the Leeds Community Foundation, Beeston & Holbeck and City & Hunslet Councillors.