Morecambe is looking forward to a weekend of fun and excitement with the forthcoming West End Festival at Regent Park on Saturday July 23rd and Catch the Wind, Morecambe’s fabulous annual kite festival, now in its 9th year on Sunday 24th July. This well established weekend is a highlight of Morecambe’s summer season for local people and for visitors, a feast of delights; music, dance, food and – kites.
Organised by More Music and in partnership with local agencies The West End Festival provides a great opportunity for groups and charities to promote their activities and is also a showcase for the best of home grown talent.
There will be a variety of stalls from the local allotment association displaying and selling produce, to the Winter Gardens who will be publicising their campaign and running a tombola with many great prizes. There will be the chance to sample Polish food at a stall run by the NCBI and pancakes from festival favourite Steve. As well as the stalls there will plenty to see and do, games with the City Council’s Play Rangers, story telling with the library service who will also be running a bounce and rhyme session for small children, arts and crafts activities, badge making, face painting and a giant bouncy slide!
Then there’s the music, this year there will be two stages one of which will be programmed and managed by young people from More Music’ Stages project and will feature a full afternoon of emerging talent that covers the musical spectrum.
On the other stage the Lune Valley Voices, Orbit, The Baines Ukulele Orchestra (from Baines High School in Poulton-le-Fylde) and the 2011 version of Baybeat are just a few of the highlights of a very busy afternoon. Additional attractions include birds of prey, demonstrations by Regent Park Studios and a fantastic dance display by festival regulars Happy Feet.
On the Sunday the action moves to the promenade and to the Platform for a fantastic afternoon of music, magic and kite flying. Once more the sky over Morecambe’s lovely bay will be awash with kites of all shapes and sizes while the Platform and the surrounding area will buzz with activities; come and paint your own bird house, create sand art, have your face painted, make a windsock, make a kite, buy a kite, fly a kite or simply sit in the sun and enjoy the entertainment provided by a host of fantastic performers and musicians!
Alternatively there is the chance to take tea in the Midland Hotel and listen to Boogie Bill who will be dazzling audiences with his amazing piano playing.
Returning this year is the star prize raffle with prizes donated by The Midland Hotel and other local organisations. Tickets are 50p each with money going towards the costs of the festival. Prizes include a luxury stay at an English Lakes Hotel, dinner for two at the Midland Hotel, tickets for The Dukes Christmas show, the BFG, and a beautiful Chas Jacob’s print “Catch the Breeze” donated by the artist. To buy raffle tickets, and find out more about Catch The Wind Kite Festival drop in to More Music on 13- 17 Devonshire Road, Morecambe, or call 01524 831997. Information is also available on the website at www.moremusic.org.uk.
Catch the Wind is supported by Morecambe Town Council, Lancaster City Council and the LSP Community Grant Scheme and sponsored by The Midland Hotel.
More Music is a community music organisation based in the West End of Morecambe offering classes, events and musical opportunities for people of all ages.