A full weekend of family fun that's sure to float everyone's boat is Stalybridge Gongoozler Fest being planned for next month.

Centred around the canal, The Town of Culture event, running from 9 to 11 September, will see three days of vibrant events celebrating the arts, heritage and local waterways of Stalybridge and will offer activities and entertainment to suit all ages and tastes.

The festivities, organised by Tameside Council working with The Bridge Cultural Consortium and other partners, start on Friday 9 September, from 5-9pm with Stalybridge Street Fest, the popular monthly food and drink event in Armentieres Square which will be a tantalising appetiser for all the fun to follow.

Saturday 10 September sees the Gongoozal event from 10am to 4pm in Armentieres Square. 

A gongoozler is ‘a person who enjoys watching activity on canals’ and there will be lots to keep canal enthusiasts entertained as well as so much more.

From professional street performers to live music, there will be something for everyone, including free arts and craft activities for children and young people. The town will be welcoming barges along the canal alongside canoeing and numerous community groups and organisations will be sharing their work and performing.

The weekend will culminate in a spectacular finale on Sunday 11 September from 1-2pm with the Town of Culture Cotton Carnival. 

Mossley-based arts organisation Global Grooves will recreate their magical, globally inspired part in the Queen’s Jubilee Pageant, which was themed around the ‘Sharing of Gifts’.

It’s not too late to get involved in the carnival - Global Grooves hopes to recruit over 200 local people as dancers, drummers, brass players and puppeteers to take part and is encouraging schools, community groups, families and individuals to sign up. See www.globalgrooves.org/getinvolved/cotton-carnival for more information.

Tameside Council Assistant Executive members for Culture, Heritage and Digital Inclusion Cllr Sangita Patel said: “I’m so excited about Gongoozler Fest - it will bring a fabulous festival atmosphere to the town while also being something inherently unique to Stalybridge and its waterways, landscape, heritage and people.

 “It is just one of our many Town of Culture summer events, which are bringing so many wonderful opportunities for residents, visitors and businesses and we encourage people to get involved.”

Gongoozler Fest is a smoke-free event. Visitors are thanked in advance for not smoking at the event helping to keep Tameside smoke-free and healthy for children and families.

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