Rochdale Feel Good Festival will return this summer, say organisers Rochdale Borough Council, promising another live showcase of entertainment, food and culture.
The annual two-day summer festival, now in its 9th year, is funded by the council together with sponsorship from local businesses.
The 2016 dates are set to be confirmed early next month.
Councillor Janet Emsley, Cabinet Member for Culture, Health and Wellbeing said: “For many years Rochdale Feel Good Festival has been one of the highlights on our calendar, attracting thousands of people into the town centre to enjoy fabulous live music, food, arts and entertainment. It’s an unmissable couple of days for friends and family to enjoy, and with our river re-opening work complete, the festival site in the town centre will look fantastic again. We have plenty to celebrate in Rochdale and I am excited to see this festival return. It is always a good opportunity for local businesses to host their own event as part of the festival too, so if you would like to be part of it, get in touch now, space is always in high demand.”
Rochdale Feel Good Festival will include live music across indoor venues, a main stage against the backdrop of the town hall and Stage 2 - the community stage. Chefs and food producers will host live cooking demonstrations throughout the event which will also include the popular food market. Performers will be announced over the next few months. Previous acts have included The South, Toploader, Scouting for Girls, The Feeling, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Martha and the Vandellas, Badly Drawn Boy and The Lightning Seeds. Celebrity chefs have included Ainsley Harriott, Rachel Allen, Gino D’Acampo, Kevin Woodford and Rochdale’s Andrew Nutter.
Once again a local band will get chance to open the main stage on the Saturday. Last year Rochdale alternative rock band ‘The Hotspur Press’ got a superb reception. The competition will be launched in April with local acts encouraged to apply to win the coveted slot.
Last year more than 16,000 visits were made, including more than 8,800 people who watched bands on the main stage. The event, now the North West’s biggest free music and food festival, saw more than 45 artists taking part, with spending in the town centre by festival goers over the two days estimated to be £340,484. That spending provided a business boost, with 89 per cent of town centre businesses who responded to a survey by Rochdale Town Centre Management reporting an increase in town centre footfall and 61 per cent saying the festival increased their income.
If you would like to get involved with the festival email events@rochdale.gov.uk
For festival updates via Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/feelgoodfestival or connect with the festival on twitter @FeelGoodFest
01 Mar 2016