The Middlewich Fab Festival
The Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival is an annual event that celebrates the rich canal heritage of the town of Middlewich, located in the heart of Cheshire, England. The canal festival takes place each year in June and is a unique celebration of music, culture, and tradition that draws visitors from all over the country.
The Middlewich festival (also known as the Middlewich FAB Festival) has been taking place each year since the year 1990. This makes it one of the longest-running festivals of its kind in the UK.
The Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival was initially organised by members of the Middlewich Paddies. The Middlewich Paddies were an Irish folk band that formed in the town just over a decade before the first festival took place The Folk inspired festival gained recognition in 2008 when it was ranked among the top three folk festivals in England by Guardian Online.
Since the year of its inception, the festival has become a popular annual event with boaters and non-boaters alike, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year and up to 400 canal boats.
This year the Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival will be taking place between dates of June 16, 2023 – June 18, 2023.
You can find more info on this year’s event by clicking here – Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival 2023
One of the main features of the Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival is its focus on the town’s rich canal history and heritage. Middlewich’s canal history dates back to the 18th century when the Trent and Mersey Canal was built. The canal network became a crucial part of the town’s economy and transformed Middlewich into a major trading hub for salt and other goods.
Middlewich is situated at the heart of the Cheshire canal network, and the festival celebrates this by featuring a range of canal boats, barges, and narrowboats, as well as hosting several canal-themed events and activities.
The festival’s canal heritage is celebrated in a number of ways. One of the main attractions is a large number of historic narrowboats moored up in the town’s canals and waterways during the festival. Visitors can take a tour of the canal boats, meet their owners, and learn about the history and culture of the canal network.
The floating market where roving traders will have gathered selling their wares alongside the Trent and Mersey Canal that runs through Middlewich is always a favourite for the many people attending the event.
Most of the action takes place around Big Lock and Kings Lock, pubs that sit next to the locks of the same name.
In addition to the boats themselves, there are a number of other canal-themed activities on offer. Over the many years this event has been taking place visitors have been able to take part in guided canal walks, learn about the history of the canal network through interactive displays and exhibits, and attend talks and presentations from canal experts and canal boat owners alike.
Another major feature of the FAB festival is its focus on music. The Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival features a wide range of traditional and contemporary folk acts performing throughout the weekend. Visitors can enjoy performances from talented musicians from all over the country, with the festival’s main stage featuring a diverse range of music styles and genres.
The festival’s musical offerings aren’t limited to the main stage, either. There are a number of smaller stages and performance areas scattered throughout the festival site, offering visitors the chance to discover new acts and enjoy impromptu performances.
This festival has featured some great musical acts over the years. a partial list of people that have performed at the Middlewich Fab Festival can be found on Wikipedia.
This is in no way a complete list. The Middlewich Folk and Boat festival has been running for over 30 years. Who knows how many impromptu artists and acts performed over the decades?
In addition to the music and canal-themed activities, the Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival also offers a range of other family-friendly events and activities. There are workshops and demonstrations showcasing traditional canal crafts and skills, as well as a range of food and drink stalls both on and off the water offering a variety of delicious treats.
The Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival is a great way to experience the unique culture and heritage of this historic town. Whether you are a boater, a music lover, a canal enthusiast, or simply looking for a fun family day out, the FAB festival offers something for everyone.
So if you’re looking for a unique and enjoyable way to spend a summer weekend, be sure to check out the Middlewich FAB Festival. With its unique blend of music, culture, and tradition, it’s a canal festival that’s not to be missed!
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