The ultimate guide to this year's Saltaire Festival

The ultimate guide to this year's Saltaire Festival

THE streets of Saltaire will be lined with performers, market stalls and foodie treats when Saltaire Festival 2019 gets underway.

The annual event, starting this Friday, September 13, is set to bring 10 days of culture to the village, including exhibitions, dance, poetry, plays and more.

Ros Garside, events co-ordinator for Saltaire Festival, explained this year’s event will have a “nice, calm, family friendly, community feel”.

She said: “The first one (weekend) is more about community and heritage and the second one is the big markets and music in the park.

“Our key event is an exhibition called Weaving The Future which is building on the fact this village was built on textiles.

“We are hoping to see lots of people in the village.”

Saltaire Brewery Beer Festival will help the district unwind over the first weekend, serving up beer and street food.

Little Man Jack, one of England’s oldest and most well-loved children’s story characters, takes centre stage in Roberts Park on Friday afternoon.

Join Jack on his ongoing quest to please his poor mother and meet all the magical friends and creatures that help or hinder his journey.

For those who enjoy poetry, Jim Greenhalf and Michael Stewart will explain ‘The Difference Between Poetry and Everything Else’ at Salts Mill.

Or meet artists at Saltaire United Reformed Church from 6.30pm.

The farmers’ market opens from 10am at Caroline Street Car Park with a range of local produce to choose from.

Take your pick from cheese, chocolate, vegetables and cakes along with hot drinks and snacks.

Performances throughout the day include Busy Lizzy, ‘the ancient flower woman’; The Tempest by Saltaire Shakespeare in the Park; The Power of Choir and French Cabaret into the evening.

On Sunday wander round Victoria Hall for the Saltaire inspired Maker’s Fair or try hand spinning and weaving at Bracken Hall Countryside Centre or wander round the open gardens.

A guided bat walk, Gardening Question Time and music will keep you entertained during the week before the weekend rolls around with a Continental Street Market.

Live music will play around the village, including hotspots like Caroline Social Club, Flash Cassette and the Buskers Bandstand in the park.

The festival will also bring a weekend-long vintage home and fashion fair to Victoria Hall.

The full programme for Saltaire Festival, including free children’s and young people’s events, is available online.