The Altrincham Festival returns this Saturday for a 41st year – and it’s set to be bigger and better than ever.
A new organising committee has given both the Grand Parade and Showground Event a revamp to bring it up to date with what locals want from what is Trafford’s biggest free event of the year.
With the sunshine seemingly guaranteed for this year, thousands are expected to line the streets and then congregate at the Festival Showground.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Altrincham Festival and Grand Parade 2018.
When is the Altrincham Festival?
Altrincham Festival and Grand Parade takes place on Saturday July 7th, with the Grand Parade starting at 11am and the Showground Event – which takes place on the Beech Fields recreation grounds off Grange Avenue in Timperley – lasting between 11am and 5pm.
What route will the Grand Parade take?
The parade will travel down The Downs, Railway Street and Stamford New Road in Altrincham town centre before continuing over the Woodlands Parkway flyover on to Stockport Road and into Timperley village. It then turns left up Park Road and then right on to Grange Avenue before arriving at Beech Fields.
For young children who aren’t keen on the trucks’ traditional horn blowing, there will be a ‘no horn blowing zone’ on Railway Street.
The parade will be led as usual by the Court Leet and followed by the amazing Starchaser Rocket, vintage and classic vehicles, Greater Manchester Police, two Samba bands, a bagpiper, and a variety of community groups, musicians and businesses. There will be a ‘Movies’ theme to this year’s parade.
The Parade was almost scrapped due to a shortfall in funds before a number of local businesses stepped in – and organisers are hoping that locals will turn out in force.
Here’s a full map of the parade (click to expand):
Catch a free bus to the Festival Showground
A looped, FREE double decker service from Altrincham town centre to the Festival Showground at Beech Fields will be running every half an hour, provided by Go Goodwins Coaches. You can catch it from the bus stop opposite Barringtons Hotel on Barrington Road.
What’s happening at the Festival Showground?
This year’s Showground event has had a major upgrade, with much more of a focus on quality food and drink stalls as well as the usual funfair, stage and childrens’ inflatables.
As part of Feast @ Alty Fest, there will be stalls from the likes of Somtam Street, In The Dog Haus, Tapas Altrincham, Kids’ Shack, Turkish Gozleme, Halloumination, Hungry Little Critters and Second City Coffee.
Here’s more about the new food offering:
And here’s a map of the Festival Showground itself:
