Stockport will be swept up in a whirlwind of bells, sticks and folk music this Spring, as the town hosts A Day of Dance – a spectacular one-day event attracting 1000 Morris dancers from across the country.
Taking place on Saturday 26th April, the town centre will be transformed into a stage for over 60 Morris dancing groupsfor the Joint Morris Organisation’s National Day of Dance, filling the streets with rhythmic stepping, clashing sticks and swirling ribbons.
Hosted by Adlington Morris Men on behalf of the Morris Ring and funded by Totally Stockport BID with support from Stockport Council and Merseyway, this unmissable event promises to be the biggest, boldest and most bell-clanging gathering the North West has ever seen – and quite possibly a record breaking celebration of Morris and folk dance in the UK.
From 10.15pm – 4.30pm, visitors will experience a fusion of tradition and energy, with traditional Morris jigs, high-energy folk jam sessions, impromptu dance-offs and lively street performances at key locations including the Underbanks, Merseyway, Prince’s Street, Suffragette Square and MarketPlace. Rounding off the day in true folk-style, there will also be an unmissable free Ceilidh at St Mary’s Church, featuring a live folk band, pop-up craft beer bar and delicious street food.
Set to draw thousands of spectators to the town, Stockport will also be buzzing with activities from local shops, businesses and the community, including family-friendly craft workshops, shire horses, niche folk-inspired fringe events and fun giveaways including thousands of Morris-themed stickers and leather badges.
Shaun Freeman Jones, Totally Stockport BID Manager said: “This is a huge win for Stockport. To have a massive, national celebration of Morris and folk dance right in the heart of the town is truly special, and a huge opportunity for Stockport to showcase its vibrancy, community spirit and rich cultural scene. The festival will not only bring an incredible spectacle, but also boost footfall and support local businesses. We can’t wait to welcome dancers from all over the country – it’s going to be an unforgettable day!”.
Cllr Helen Foster Grime, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport at Stockport Council, said: “It’s a real honour for Stockport to host this national celebration of Morris dancing, welcoming groups from all over the country to our town. It’s going to be a fantastic celebration of tradition, community and fun. It’s events like this that bring our communities together, fill our streets with joy, and make Stockport such a fantastic place. We can’t wait to see everyone dancing and enjoying this unforgettable day!”
Victoria Nichol, Centre Manager at Merseyway said: “Last year, we had the pleasure of welcoming Adlington Morris Men to Merseyway Shopping Centre, and it was a fantastic experience. The energy, the atmosphere and the sheer joy it brought to our shoppers was incredible. Now, to have an event on this scale happening across the town centre is absolutely, amazing and it’s fantastic to see Stockport host an event that is so unique.”
For more information on A Day of Dance, please visitwww.totallystockport.co.uk.
