Thousands flocked to the annual Kirkstall Festival 2016 – despite the wet weather!
The community celebration was packed as usual with people flocking to see the parade, bands, entertainment and enjoy the fun fair, despite heavy rain in the morning and early afternoon.
Stalls ranged from local community groups through to plant stalls, political organisations and people selling books and bags – as well as food stalls ranging from fish and chips to Thai and Indian.
Good beat at #kirkstallfestival pic.twitter.com/kVkEEyvl9o
— West Leeds Dispatch (@WLDispatch) July 9, 2016
Morris dancers, pipe bands, rock orchestras, fiddlers, comedy clubs and football provided the entertainment and activities.
This year’s Kirkstall Festival followed a theme of heroes and heroines to celebrate the incredible community spirit shown in Kirkstall following the Boxing Day floods which left parts of Kirkstall Road under several feet of water.
In his programme notes, festival chair John Liversedge said this year’s event was an emotional one following the death of February of festival stalwart Ken Stratford and dedicated the event to him. Mr Liversedge wrote:
“The community work Ken did in the Kirkstall area – not just with the festival – is well known to many and I could not begin to list the things Ken was involved with.
“Suffice to say Ken was well known, well respected and well loved by all who knew him and his presence is with us today.This, our 36th festival, is dedicated to Kenny.”
Lovely day with friends at @KirkFest. Huge thanks to amazing team of volunteers led by John Liversedge. pic.twitter.com/bmzbUqCaRt
— Rachel Reeves (@RachelReevesMP) 9 July 2016
The festival is organised and run by a group of dedicated Kirkstall volunteers who give countless hours of their time each year to make the event happen.
We had a fab time at @KirkFest today! This little guy thought he would help us out and spread the word too💛💛💛 pic.twitter.com/USN5nHblVN
— Kirkstall Art Trail (@KirkstallArt) July 9, 2016
Sun is out for final hurrah – thank you all for coming. Hope you had a fab day! What was your best bit? #kirkfest pic.twitter.com/uBaOlP6UvZ
— Kirkstall Festival (@KirkFest) July 9, 2016
