Warrington summer events: What's cancelled, what's still on

Covid restrictions were supposed to lift in their entirety this month but concerns about rising cases of the Delta variant mean that 'Freedom Day' has been postponed until July 19.

Many summer events have recently been called off as a result.

Others hang in the balance after Warrington was named ‘an enhanced support package area’ with people urged to minimise travel in and out of the borough.

However, several festivals and community gatherings are still on in the hope we will see a return to normality after July 19.

This is the current situation for upcoming events in and near Warrington.

LYMM HISTORIC TRANSPORT DAY - CANCELLED

June 27

The celebration of boats, planes, trains and automobiles – not to mention steam engines – would have seen a flypast by a Spitfire of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight on June 27.

Around 1,400 advance ticket holders had to be notified and refunded.

Event director Alan Williams said: “ We would have hundreds of exhibitors and traders coming from all over the region, not to mention the thousands of visitors, many who have already booked from as far afield as Scotland and the south of England."

WARRINGTON WALKING DAY - CANCELLED

July 2

The town's most famous celebration has been cancelled for a second year in a row due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Church and school leaders took the decision following ‘extensive consultations with participating organisations’.

Rev Canon June Steventon, rector of Warrington and chairman of the Walking Day Committee, said: “Cancelling Warrington’s Walking Day this year has been a very disappointing and extremely difficult decision.

“We are committed to ensuring that next year’s event is bigger and better than ever, and we are very enthusiastic for what I’m sure will be a very poignant Walking Day in 2022.”

Warrington Walking Day has only been cancelled a handful of times during its long history, including during the Second World War.

STOCKTON HEATH FESTIVAL - CANCELLED

July 2 to 5

Although there is a possibility of outdoor events being held in the summer, the trustees of the festival believed there was too little time and too much uncertainty for them to be able to organise the festival this year.

The festival was established in 2008. It aims to bring the community together through celebration of arts, culture, and heritage events.

GLASTONFERRY - CANCELLED

July 3

Organisers of the hugely popular music festival at the Ferry Tavern in Penketh had pinned their hopes on the final phase of Boris Johnson's plan to end the lockdown going ahead on June 21 as their event was taking place on July 3.

This means large events like music festivals cannot currently go ahead.

On Facebook, the Glastonferry team said: "We have tried to reschedule the event to later in the year but unfortunately, it’s impossible to find a suitable date where all contractors are available. I’m very sorry to be the bearer of bad news but it’s totally out of our hands.

"Thank you for all of your support and understanding, I appreciate it’s been difficult for all of us and hopefully 2022 will see things get back to normal."

The festival was due to see a headline set by Lancashire Hotpots after a range of covers bands and artists.

LYMM FESTIVAL - NOW TAKING PLACE ONLINE

Until July 4

All in-person events have been postponed or cancelled including an evening with Eddie the Eagle, who captured the nation's hearts in 1988 when he became the first competitor since 1928 to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski jumping.

But the festival team have been quick to adapt and have moved as much as the event programme online as possible.

Some of the festival was due to take place in virtual form anyway such as award-winning Lymm author Martin Edwards in conversation with Jim Hancock.

And there is plenty more from baking classes and an online exhibition from Lymm Photographic Society to the physics of Hollywood movies.

The Scarecrow Trail is also still on with a ‘lockdown heroes’ theme. Visit lymmfestival.org.uk

CHESHIRE STEAM FAIR - STILL ON

July 10 and 11

The celebration of traction engines and vintage vehicles will still be coming to Daresbury.

There will also be a fine food fair, stunt shows and a fairground.

Visit outdoorshows.co.uk/cheshire-steam-fair

RIVFEST - STILL ON

August 6 to 8

Everything Everything are coming to Golden Square

The three-day charity festival – in memory of River Reeves and his Viola Beach bandmates – is taking place at Golden Square this year on an open air stage at Old Market Place.

Twice Mercury Prize nominated Everything Everything are the main act. The other headliners are Hacienda icon Graeme Park, who is widely credited as one of the original founders of the UK’s rave/club scene, and Birchwood’s own emerging singer-songwriter Abi Rose Kelly.

The event was founded by The River Reeves Foundation in the wake of Viola Beach guitarist River Reeves’ death.

Visit parrhall.culturewarrington.org or hcpromotions.co.uk for tickets.

LYMM RUSHBEARING - STILL ON

August 8

One of the most historic events in the Warrington calendar.

The procession includes Morris men, people carrying Rushbearing garlands and rushes, the chairman of the parish council and councillors, the May Queen and various community groups.

Organiser Chris Limb said: "This year (subject to unforeseen restrictions) we shall meet at the Lower Dam at 4pm and then walk along The Dingle accompanied by Morris dancers and music. We shall then meet up again at St Mary's for more dancing before a short service at about 4.30pm."

CREAMFIELDS - STILL ON

August 26 to 29

It is one of the biggest parties of the summer where tens of thousands of revellers pack together to see some of the world's biggest DJs.

So things will have to be very much back to normal for this to take place in Daresbury.

Nevertheless, with Covid rules set to end on July 19 and with the vaccination programme in full force, Creamfields is all systems go.

The August Bank Holiday weekend extravaganza with more than 300 acts is much anticipated as it sold out almost instantly.

Acts include Camelphat, Chase and Status, deadmau5, Pendulum, Tiesto and many more over four days.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WEEKENDER - RESCHEDULED

Now September 3 to 5

The massive celebration of indie music at Victoria Park has been rescheduled from May to September 3 to 5.

All tickets remain valid for the Latchford festival with the only other big change being James replacing Warrington-born Ian Brown as the Saturday night headliner.

The other headliners are Glaswegian singer-songwriter and live favourite Gerry Cinnamon on Friday and anthemic indie rockers Catfish and the Bottlemen on Sunday.

The festival is the brainchild of former Woolston High student Simon Moran, who went on to form SJM Concerts.

Visit nbhdweekender.com, gigsandtours.com or ticketmaster.co.uk

THELWALL ROSE QUEEN - STILL ON

September 4

A community celebration featuring the Rose Queen and her court in a procession around Thelwall accompanied by bands, Thelwall Morris Men, majorettes, decorated floats and the retiring Rose Queen and her attendants.

There are also stalls, side-shows and fairground rides for all ages.

A statement on Facebook said: "Of course, the event will only go ahead if we can do so safely, securely and within government guidelines, but we're working towards putting on an event before the end of the summer holidays.

"We've all missed meeting up for the Rose Queen event so hopefully, we'll be able to have an amazing time at the start of September."

LYMM MAY QUEEN FESTIVAL - RESCHEDULED

Now on September 25

It is hoped the historic celebration can go ahead after organisers took the decision early in the year to move Lymm May Queen Festival from May 15 to September 25.

Cllr Kath Buckley said: "As you might know, one of my favourite responsibilities in Lymm is being chair of Lymm May Queen. It is an honour to be the chair of such a long standing – more than 100 years old – event.

"Last year, we had to cancel due to Covid 19, this year we have decided to postpone the event from May and hopefully we can hold it in September.

"So fingers crossed, let's be positive and hope that we can still hold the event but in the autumn rather than the summer."