The eyes of Salford are turning to the future, and the wheels of a very special stage are already in motion.
Through October to November, the touring event titled The Wagon Train visited neighborhoods across the city, giving residents the chance to shape next year’s centenary celebrations.
Created by Walk the Plank, the Wagon is part pop-up stage, part DJ booth, part AV hub, designed to travel through Salford’s streets and parks, and stop at spots where locals can gather, chat and decide how the stage will be used in the 2026 city-status anniversary year.
Residents, community groups, creators, and curious by-standers were invited to climb aboard, share ideas, and help decide what, when and where of events next year.
Ben Turner, of Walk the Plank said: “The Wagon Train is a chance to celebrate Salford people and places, different ages, backgrounds and ideas and in different locations.”
“Salford doesn’t really have one center, but hubs in different neighbourhoods and communities and this project will allow us to go here, there and maybe even everywhere next year to celebrate Salford 100.”
The initiative was free to join and aimed at everyone. Walk the plank emphasised that the Wagon is a “you and your neighbour, your friends’ friends” kind of project.
As Salford gears up to mark its 100-year anniversary of city status in 2026, this rolling stage moves signals that the celebrations won’t just be top-down or in one place, they’ll be mobile, inclusive and driven by the communities living here.
The Wagon Train may have been traveling, but its true destination is the next chapter of Salford’s story, and everyone is invited aboard.
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