The banks of a Salford canal are set to come alive this weekend as a vibrant festival returns for its third year.
Families from across the city are set to flock to Middlewood Locks in Salford Central as a popular canal-side festival returns with an action-packed schedule for all ages.
Taking place on Saturday 4 July from 3pm -10pm, Middlewood Locks Fest is a free, family-friendly event featuring live music, colourful parades, children’s workshops, a makers’ market, water-based activities and a range of street food vendors.
The festival will be brought to a dramatic close with a light and fire display after nightfall.
“This year, we’re bringing even more life to the canal with a bigger event programme which invites people of all ages to get involved,” said Ben Turner at event organiser Walk the Plank.
“After such a fantastic response last year, we wanted to build on that momentum and create another joyful, creative celebration for the whole community.”
Attendees can expect activities throughout the day and into the evening, providing entertainment and community spirit for residents and visitors alike.
A key highlight this year is the Wagon Train – a pop-up mobile festival commissioned by Salford City Council as part of the Salford centenary celebrations and produced by Walk the Plank, featuring free, family-friendly entertainment including music, poetry, play space, karaoke, and talent competitions.
Live entertainment is set to include a high-energy parade from the Batala Afro-Brazilian percussion act playing samba-reggae rhythms.
The internationally acclaimed recording artist Oojami will also take centre stage with a DJ set blending traditional Turkish and Eastern melodies with modern urban beats, drum and bass, dub, and English vocals.
Indie-folk duo Honest Michael will perform music with a mixture of humour and heart, drawing inspiration from love and nature, whilst Salford’s very own Barton Belles community choir will deliver an a cappella and choral repertoire of pop, Motown, jazz and folk.
The makers market will be back, bringing together local makers, artisans, performers and creators selling a range of jewellery, plants, artwork, clothes and produce.
Organisers say the event will offer a variety of food and drink options from local vendors alongside fun activities such as face painting, hook-a-duck and arts and crafts.
On-the-water fun includes rafted canoe trips and a sunset light and fire installation with the ‘Spark Drummers’ bringing proceedings to a lively end at 10pm.
The festival is being made possible through sponsorship from Scarborough Group International, the developer and custodian of Middlewood Locks, Joint venture partners Metro Holdings PLC, and Get Living, the build-to-rent operator.
Produced in collaboration with the outdoor events production team at Walk the Plank, the event is also supported by Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal Society and Canal & River Trust, with funding from GMCA.
Nicola Wallis, Group Sales & Marketing Director at Scarborough Group International (SGI), said the organisation are overjoyed to be hosting the festival in the city’s centenary year.
She said: “We are delighted to be hosting our third annual Middlewood Locks Fest next month, which also coincides with our 10th anniversary.
“We are also thrilled to play a key part in the wider Salford centenary celebrations, which have been taking place across the city.
“Middlewood Locks Fest has become a very popular event for the local community, with an inclusive programme of events which caters for everyone. It is great to see people coming together and enjoying the neighbourhood that we have carefully curated as a thriving destination as well as a place to live.
“With over 2,600 people now living at Middlewood Locks, there is a wonderful sense of community and place where outdoor activities are really supported by the beautiful waterside setting, curated green spaces and engaging new public realm.”
Paul Hindle of Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal Society, expressed his delight at seeing the historic Salford canal put at the heart of a popular Salford celebration.
“The canal has always been part of Salford’s story, and it is exciting to see it becoming a place people can enjoy in new ways today. By opening up the waterside for leisure, activity and shared experiences, Middlewood Locks Fest helps reconnect the community with this important piece of local heritage.”
Bethany Skeels at Get Living was full of praise for the annual event: “Middlewood Locks Fest is a brilliant example of the energy and community spirit that make this neighbourhood so special,” she said.
“We’re pleased to be supporting the festival once again and helping to create a day that brings residents, visitors and local businesses together to enjoy the canal-side setting, celebrate Salford’s creativity and make the most of everything Middlewood Locks has to offer.”
More information about Middlewood Locks Fest is available here.
