The 21st Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival

The 21st Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 17th-18th-19th June Join us to celebrate on the canalside & in the town FREE entertainment all weekend ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ www.midfest.org 01606 833434 Press release- The 21st Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival is almost here and promises to be a fabulous weekend of music & dance- judging by the volume of enquiries received by Middlewich Town Councils` events manager Dave Thompson. `it`s been amazing to see how popular the festival is and I`m sure the 21st anniversary will be special. We`ve received 100s of enquiries each week since March and the `busy period` hasn`t even begun! I`ve spent lots of time assuring people that the festival is most definitely on and the silly rumours that it won`t happen, or won`t be as good have quickly disappeared. Not only is the festival too important (in terms of the financial boost it gives to many businesses) for the town to loose, demand by the community and visitors means it will carry on no matter what- as was proved in 2001 when the event was `cancelled` due to the foot & mouth epidemic. Many boaters and musicians still turned up and we played all weekend. A record number of morris dancers are expected and boaters continue to book-in each day, and with the new FAB Live Stage on Market Field, and the nine FAB Fringe venues all offering FREE ENTERTAINEMENT all weekend, yes all free- expectations are high to say the least!` Full details of artists, dancers, venues, programming on the festival website www.midfest.org In addition to the free entertainment, organisers will be staging two anniversary events in the Civic Hall. Friday 7.30pm will feature 80s` singer Paul Young and his band Los Pacaminos. This is a Tequila fuelled Tex Mex party night as the Civic Hall becomes the perfect cantina setting for a great night's rocking with the cactus sharp, stetson wearing magnificent 7 Los Pacaminos`! Advance tickets £12 at wegottickets.com and from Dave Thompson 01606 833434 Saturday 7.30pm will be the festivals` annual ceilidh dance with All Blacked Up and caller Gordon Potts. A fun/energetic evening for anyone who enjoys the chance to `get-up-and-dance`! Tickets £10 (U13 £5) from Ray Archer 01270 765376 A last word from Dave `on behalf of Middlewich Town Council we must thank new sponsors Pochin`s and United Utilities for their most welcome financial support, and Cheshire East Council for grants to the festival. Let the festival begin- whoever you are and wherever you`re from, we look forward to welcoming you to Middlewich`. Full details of the festival are in the Souvenir Guide on sale now £1 from shops, fringe venues and the library- buy one and you could win a canalboat holiday courtesy of Andersen Boats! Ends New FAB Fringe- Comprises nine venues on the canalside & in the town hosting a fabulous variety of live music. Featured artists include local favourites the Boat Band & Calico Jack, and from County Galway, the Kane Sisters & Edel Fox. Why FAB Fringe? Because, for many thousands of people over the past twenty years the fringe has been just that- FABULOUS & it`s all FREE!!! New FAB Live Stage- Hosts an exciting variety of music & dance showcases on Saturday & Sunday on the main festival site, Market Field, including on Saturday Middlewich Rose Fete from 1pm, morris dance-up at 4pm and a special Middlewich Showcase from 7pm. Boat Gathering- 100s of boats and boaters descend on Middlewich to enjoy the festivities, including historic working boats from around the country. Plus crafts and exhibits. Traditional dance programme- Enjoy fantastic dance displays including world champion`s Stone Monkey Rapper & the unique Brittania Coconut Dancers of Bacup. FAB Saturday- Comprises a variety of promotions and entertainment including the Festival Parade, a new `taste` market, decorated shop windows, buskers, dancers and street theatre.