New Bank Holiday Festival announced for Ormskirk

• Eclectic festival will take place across coming bank holiday weekend
• Food & drink, entertainment and family fun to enjoy
• Event has been driven by local businesses to enhance Borough's cultural offer
• ***JUST ANNOUNCED*** Seasoned festival performers Jeramiah Ferrari to headline music stages (see end of media release for full details)

A new event is taking place in Ormskirk town centre on Sunday 28 August as the first Ormskirk Bank Holiday Festival comes to town.

The festival will have a relaxed and family-friendly feel with live music and acts over two separate stages, food & drink to enjoy, artisan offerings as well as community stalls, demonstrations by Lancashire Fire and Rescue and 'have a go' swimming and gym session at Park Pool for just £1. There is even the chance to win swimming sessions or a gym membership. Street acts will also provide entertainment mingling with visitors throughout the town.

The Sunday event will be the culmination of a fabulous weekend organised by the town's amazing markets with the Moor Street Night Market on Friday evening kicking off the weekend with street food, drinks and live music, before Saturday's traditional market welcomes busy shoppers. The Night Market will make it an afternoon to remember on Sunday as they return to celebrate the long weekend whilst the popular Ormskirk Artisan Market will complement the Festival event programme by showcasing the region's makers, bakers, artists and creatives.  

Celebrations will run from 11am to 6pm after which people can extend their evening by visiting one of the many fantastic bars and restaurants the town centre has to offer. The Chapel on St. Helens Road will carry on the entertainment with acoustic sets between 12noon and 5pm.

Councillor Adam Yates, portfolio holder for Finance and Economic Regeneration, said: "This will be a brilliant new addition to the events calendar in the Borough. It will be a real feel-good weekend with our fantastic markets at its heart.

"This is a great example of partnership working and we're delighted to be supporting this event which has been driven by town centre businesses looking for new ways to enhance Ormskirk's cultural offer. The festival will increase visitors to the town centre and present an ideal transition for them to stay once the festival has finished to support the businesses which make Ormskirk's nigh-time economy offer so good.

"So we're really excited to be part of what we hope will be the first of an increasingly popular festival year on year with something for everyone from West Lancashire and beyond to enjoy as well as supporting our local businesses in the Borough."

Councillor Gareth Dowling, Deputy Leader of the Council and portfolio holder for Communities and Community Safety, added: "Massive thanks must go to our officers, town centre businesses, the Night Market and Artisan Market and other community groups who have come together at short notice to launch this festival, free of charge for residents to enjoy. 

"A top line-up of music has been arranged by the Night Market team for both Friday night and Sunday afternoon which we hope everyone will turn out for. We are also delighted to host performers from the E Rooms on our Sunday Wheatsheaf Walk stage.

"The council is proud to be trying new things while retaining the focus on Ormskirk's historic market town reputation and promoting our great markets throughout the weekend."

More details will be available across the Council's social media channels in the coming days.

***JUST ANNOUNCED***

Jeramiah Ferrari to headline Sunday event (time TBC)

A unique force and a live sensation that never disappoints - The Mancunion

This northwest outfit are seasoned festival stage performers and have forged a superb reputation for live sets.  One of the most exciting genre weaving groups around, they have supported The Wailers on their UK tour fusing styles of reggae, rock, ska and pop, to make a truly memorable and essential new sound.

Jeramiah Ferrari grew up on a diet of Bob Marley, The Police and Michael Jackson. Expect a great calypso-ska style dancing party at any Jeramiah Ferrari Show!

Previous tours include sharing the stage with Madness, UB40, Hollie Cook and Steel Pulse.

Their many festival slots include Boomtown Fair, Beat Herder, Kendal Calling, Arezzo Wave Festival (Italy), Zwarte Cross Festival (Holland), Mad Hatters Festival (France), Lytham Festival with Brian Adams, Bowlers Scafest with The Selecter & The Beat and Weyfest with Level 42. 

https://www.jeramiahferrari.com/