Stalybridge Carnival 2021 has been cancelled

This year's Stalybridge Carnival, which was scheduled to be held during the weekend of Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 June, has been cancelled. 

The decision was made on Tuesday (2 March) by the Stalybridge Festival Committee. 

Organising Secretary Ian Cochrane said that whilst the national Covid restrictions are scheduled to be lifted earlier that week (21 June), there is "no certainty at the present time that these timescales will be met". 

But there are plans to hold a Party in the Park event in Cheetham Park later in the summer. 

Ian added: "Given the fact local dance groups, community choirs and bands will not be allowed to practice until shortly before the event it is likely that they would not be in a position to take part in this year’s Parade. The Committee felt this was not a compromise they were willing to make – especially when the Parade is the focal point of Stalybridge Carnival Weekend.

"The Festival Committee also felt it could not take the risk of committing itself to spending any of its limited expenditure at the present time on planning for the Carnival, when there is no guarantee the restrictions on holding large scale community events will in fact be lifted on 21 June.

"Although this decision is disappointing, the Festival Committee is committed to holding a safe and memorable Party in the Park event in Cheetham Park later in the summer to make up for the disappointment of cancelling the Carnival.

"We will make an announcement about this event once the national Covid restrictions have been lifted and we are already looking forward to hosting Stalybridge Carnival again in June 2022." 

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