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Media Opportunities: All media are invited
to attend the WOW Festival at Mesnes Park Wigan from 12pm to 5pm on
Sunday 5th August. Pre-event interviews can be arranged. Contact Chris
Dunbar on 01942 486937.
Thousands of people are expected to unite
and enjoy this year’s Wigan One World (WOW) Festival on Sunday 5th
August in Mesnes Park.
The free event, now in its fifth year, unites people of all ages, races
and places for a summer party of music, dance and drama. WOW, organised
by Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, welcomes performers from all over
the world to celebrate cultural diversity in the Wigan Borough.
The 2006 WOW Festival was attended by over 6,000 people. Anticipation
for this year’s event is building fast with a collection of well known
Wiganers giving their backing.
Jacqui Boardman, Chair of Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, enthused:
“The WOW Festival represents all that we are trying to achieve at Wigan
Leisure and Culture Trust. It is a wonderful family event that
celebrates diversity in a fun and active way. Mesnes Park is always
buzzing with energy on WOW Festival day. For the thousands who attend it
is a memorable action packed day of entertainment and laughter.”
Mayor of the Borough of Wigan, Cllr John O’Brien, says: “The WOW
Festival continues to go from strength to strength and its influence now
stretches far beyond the boundaries of our borough. Its success is the
result of the enthusiasm and commitment of traditional and new
communities who come together to celebrate the rich cultural mix that
the borough of Wigan has become. We are delighted to see that so many
people are willing to share their cultural traditions in the spirit of
creating not just greater understanding but a sense of pride. Above all
the WOW festival is about having fun! All in all it’s a great day out
and one not to be missed!”
Writer, broadcaster and local lad, Stuart Maconie said: “It’s inspiring
to see such a cosmopolitan event taking place in the heart of Wigan. The
borough is renowned for its Lancastrian traditions, but to see the
cultures of the world being embraced in Mesnes Park through music and
dance is wonderful and is something for everyone to enjoy.”
Hollyoaks Star, Leah Hackett, also added her support: “The WOW Festival
is a fantastic celebration of all that is great about Wigan. This year’s
event looks to be more fun than ever. I hope everyone who goes along has
a great day and enjoys some outdoors fun in sunshine and style.”
Wigan Athletic manager Chris Hutchings said: "Ever since I've been here
I've realised that the people of Wigan have a great community spirit.
The WOW Festival is a great example of that spirit and the energy and
sense of fun Wigan is becoming renowned for. So get your self down to
the WOW Festival this Sunday and enjoy lots of great entertainment for
all ages and help celebrate what is great about our town."
Wigan Warriors skipper Sean O’Loughlin added: “The Wigan One World
Festival is a great event that really embodies the strong community
spirit we have here in Wigan. It's brilliant to see families and friends
come together to enjoy one big party in the park. I wish everyone who
goes to Mesnes Park this Sunday a fantastic time and I hope lots of
young people get involved in all of the sport and arts activities
planned for the big day."
Mehmood Ahmed, from Wigan’s Rafiki Motswako project for young people
from diverse ethnic backgrounds, said: “The WOW festival has enabled the
Rafiki project’s young people to celebrate their cultures and get
involved in the various activities on offer. Last year the group set up
a display featuring the multi-cultural collage banner which they
developed to reflect the diversity that exists in the borough. We are
looking forward to attending the festival this Sunday to enjoy the
music, dance, food and the welcoming atmosphere."
Highlights of this year's Wigan One World Festival line up include:
• Ballet Enteredanzas: contemporary flamenco into uncharted territories;
• Academy of Show Arts: no-nonsense break dance from the streets of
Gaza;
• Acitae: the roots of Cuban music and dance ;
• Al Assala: beautifully mixing the old and new melodies of Tunisia;
• Anatolien Dreams: an exciting mix of traditional, oriental and German
street dance;
• Mauna kea: physical theatre and dance featuring costumes, flags and
fire;
• La Zona: spicing up the park with Costa Rican hip hop;
• Ecludir azul: traditional Portuguese percussion with show stopping
street dance;
• Roots & Routes: multi-cultural group with a passion for music and
dance;
• Kozman Ti Dalon: incredible Maloya music with acrobatic stage
fighting.
Local performers will also take centre stage during the day including
the Thistle Society, Anvil Street Drummers, Dynamite Dancers, the Wigan
and Leigh Kurdish Cultural Association and the Wigan Malayalee
Association. There is also the chance for people to peruse a variety of
community stalls on site. Of which, one highlight will the chance for
people to view the exciting plans for the Mesnes Park restoration
project.
The Kick Racism message will also be alive and well at WOW this year.
Free football, rugby, netball and multi skills taster sessions will take
place for young people, thanks to the Trust’s Sports Development Unit
and Atherton Dragons ARLFC. There will also be lots of Kick Racism
prizes given away including t-shirts, signed memorabilia, tickets and
even a hamper!
The WOW Festival takes place in Mesnes Park, Wigan, on Sunday 5th
August. Activities and performances start at 12pm and run through until
5pm. All events are free to enjoy and families are welcome.
All visitors to the WOW Festival should note that the Wigan town centre
alcohol ban also applies in Mesnes Park. Free parking around the town
centre is available on Sundays. For further information see
www.wlct.org
or contact Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s festivals team on 01942
486929.
-ends-
NOTES TO EDITORS: For further information on this News Release please
contact Chris Dunbar, Media and Public Relations Manager, on 01942
486937 or at
c.dunbar@wlct.org.
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust: Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust is a
charitable trust working on behalf of Wigan Council to manage and
support leisure and cultural facilities, initiatives and events for over
300,000 residents in the Wigan Borough. See
www.wlct.org.
Getting Wigan Active: Getting Wigan Active is Wigan Leisure and Culture
Trust’s vision to help people across the Wigan Borough to become more
physically, mentally and creatively active. It also aims to increase
community activity and to encourage good citizenship.
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Photograph from the 2006 WOW Festival
Photograph from the 2006 WOW Festival |