Thousands of people enjoyed the successful return of the People’s Park Festival in Calderdale, celebrating the diversity of the borough’s culture.
On Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 August, the beautiful People’s Park in Halifax came alive with film, food, entertainment and music, showcasing Calderdale’s multicultural identity and celebrating South Asian Heritage Month.
Over 3000 people attended the outdoor cinema event on Saturday, with many families enjoying the free film showings. Around 8000 people attended across the day on the Sunday, enjoying a day of live music, produced in partnership with Radio Sangam.
The events featured as part of the Calderdale Year of Culture 2024, with CultureDale(external link) and Radio Sangam supporting the return of the festival, which was an annual summer event over 20 years ago.
Local communities were keen to see the return of the festival and they were also instrumental in helping to shape the day’s schedule, with the CultureDale team speaking to local people about what they wanted to see at the event. Community groups and local organisations, including Halifax Central Initiative, also supported the festival’s development and helped over the weekend.
The music festival welcomed artists from around the world, as well as local performers. Many Calderdale businesses also had stalls at the event, supporting local suppliers and traders.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Services and Communities, Cllr Danielle Durrans, said:
“It was truly wonderful to see the successful return of the People’s Park Festival, last weekend. A lot of hard work went into the event, and I’m pleased that so many people supported the festival and enjoyed a fabulous celebration of Calderdale’s diverse culture.
“At a time where we’re sadly seeing division in some communities, it was heart-warming to see what can be achieved when we come together to share a celebration of our rich, vibrant and multi-cultural communities.
“This is what CultureDale is all about, demonstrating inclusivity and how culture can bring people together. I’m very proud that the borough’s Year of Culture continues to go from strength to strength and I’m looking forward to further events as part of the varied programme.”
Calderdale Council is also marking South Asian Heritage Month (18 July to 17 August) with a showcase of items from its museum collections at the Central Library in Halifax. On display are South Asian textiles and art and cultural items, ranging from everyday objects to elaborate ceremonial costumes, collected from the 19th century to the present day in both Calderdale and the eight countries that make up South Asia. There is also a display of books by South Asian writers.
Visit https://youtu.be/gi7pl11uw-g(external link), to see more from the People’s Park festival. For more information about Calderdale’s Year of Culture 2024, visit www.culturedale.co.uk(external link)
CultureDale celebrates Calderdale’s 50th anniversary year. The programme features locally-created events, festivals, exhibitions, performances and initiatives for everyone to enjoy from April 2024 to April 2025. It is funded by Calderdale Council, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Arts Council England, National Lottery Heritage Fund and UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
ENDS