Kirkstall Festival invites you down the farm for fabulous festival frolics for family and friends alike, writes Jim Corah.
The community get-together gathers on Saturday 13th July 2019 in the grounds of Kirkstall Abbey, with a bountiful harvest of activities, entertainments, stalls, caterers, and all the usual fun.
Kirkstall On T’ Farm is this year’s agricultural theme, and we’ll be welcoming back the llamas and alpacas back to join in the fun. The Vikings return to show off their farming heritage, and there will be a number of vintage vehicles on site including a mini steam traction engine.
Music From The Attic are the headliners for the Main Stage, and there will be performers across five areas ranging from choral to orchestral, jazz to rock. The Bowling Green will host youth acts; comedy and cabaret return to the Cloisters with a high wire act.
The stallholders will be a mixture of community organisations and traders, and the caterers will be offering a wide variety of food for all tastes. There will be coffee, there will be vegan food, there will be hummus in pitta, there will be food from Poco.
It wouldn’t be a Festival without a parade, with children, Vikings, and the City of Leeds Pipe Band announcing the event in customary style.
Also taking place will be the Princess Dog Show, were competitions are fierce among the fluffiest for waggiest tail and best walk. Some visitors to the Festival only come to see the doggos.
As it continues in its efforts to be inclusive, Kirkstall Festival are proud to announce the introduction of Mobiloo facilities.
The main Festival is supported through sales of the £2 programme, sponsorship (a sponsor for the toilets is still being sought), and Leeds City Council’s Wellbeing fund. Organised and run completely by volunteers, Kirkstall Festival is a community get together where everyone will be welcomed with open arms and warm smiles.
Returning this year is the Kirkstall Festival PAYF Evening Session during the evening of Friday 12th July 2019. Caleb Murray will be the support act for the headliners the Blind Dead McJones Band. Taking place inside the Abbey, the audience is encouraged to pay whatever they feel is a good price for the fantastic music on offer.
What do I need to know?
There’s no cash point on site so come prepared, closest is at Morrison’s. Of course you can bring your own food and drink and dogs on a lead.
There is a water station opposite the info tent to refill your bottle for free. You can park near the Abbey Museum follow signage from A65 but it is limited so please consider using public transport.
There is also disabled parking.
The Parade starts at 12noon from Hesketh Rd arriving at the festival for 1pm, please join in!
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