The streets of Ilkley town centre are set to come alive this weekend with family friendly activities and performances at the Ilkley Family Takeover event part of Spring Back 2022.
This Saturday (26th March) between 10am and 8pm activities will include puzzles and games in the form of giant Jenga and giant jigsaws, face-painting, sword fighting demonstrations as well as performances from the comedy waiters and much more.
The Party People Project, a Bradford district-based learning disability led collective, will keeping the party vibe going with a live two hour DJ set.
Tea, coffee and scrumptious cakes will be served up by Ilkley community café Outside The Box, which as well as serving delicious treats also supports adults and young people with learning disabilities.
Artist Pete Olding will also lead a team of artists to create temporary artworks on the streets of Ilkley town centre as part of the event. The team will paint ‘live’ in the street while engaging people with the process. Images will be figurative, vibrant and colourful and incorporate poems created in workshops held locally.
As the evening draws in a huge magical lantern puppet in the shape of the Ilkley’s legendary giant Rombald will take to the streets for two performances.
Did we say that Rombald the Giant is going to be galumphing down from the moor to the streets of #ilkley on Saturday early evening? You won't want to miss it. #springback2022 #bradford #welcomebackfund @CecilGreenArts #Bradford2025 pic.twitter.com/IbWqBgqE6h
— Family Takeover Ilkley (@IlkleyFamily) March 22, 2022
Ilkley Family Takeover Schedule - see map below for performance locations
10am
Event opens. Jigsaw and Jenga in place and manned by stewards. Backing music to be played on bandstand sound system throughout the day.
11am
Refreshments open (Outside the Box) – 11am - 4pm
12pm
Face painting 1st session (Maria Tarabella) Comedy waiters – 1st performance
1pm
Music 2hr session (Party People Project) Sword fighting 1st session (Swordpunk)
2pm
Comedy waiters 2nd performance
3pm
Sword fighting 2nd session (Swordpunk) Stilt walkers 1st performance (TBC – replacing Silencio - the silent fortune teller) Face painting 2nd session (Maria Tarabella)
4pm
Comedy Waiters 3rd performance
5pm
Stilt walkers 3rd performance (TBC – replacing Silencio - the silent fortune teller) Sword fighting 3rd session (Swordpunk) Face painting 3rd session (optional – dependent on demand)
6:30pm
Rombald the Giant 1st performance (Cecil Green Arts)
7:00pm
Stilt walkers 3rd performance (TBC – replacing Silencio - the silent fortune teller)
7:30pm
Rombald the Giant 2nd performance (Cecil Green Arts)
Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “I’m delighted that we have been able to fund these events to help people to rediscover all that’s great about their local high street.”
Eddie from Raven Staging who is organising the event, said: “We’ll be bringing a joyful selection of performances to Ilkley’s streets this Saturday and we can’t wait. The sun looks to be blessing us with its presence once again. We hope you and your family do the same.”
The event which takes place throughout the town centre is being organised by Raven Staging Ltd in collaboration with Bradford Council as part a series of events for the Council’s Spring Back 2022 campaign.
Also part of the campaign, The K-Town Shopper weekend this Saturday and Sunday will see outdoor galleries, performances and a showcase for independent businesses across Keighley town centre.
All the events are part of Bradford Council’s Spring Back 2022 campaign which is a partnership with local artists, event organisers and businesses to stage these free events and colourful street art to encourage people to rediscover the district’s town’s and village’s high streets.
Spring Back 2022 has been made possible thanks to the Welcome Back Fund, which is funding from the England European Regional Development Fund.
Full details of all the events being held as part of the Bradford Council’s Spring Back 2022 campaign can be found at www.visitbradford.com/springback2022.aspx
Ilkley Literature Festival’s Story Explorer Day is also taking place in Ilkley on Saturday 26 March. Look out for author events, interactive sessions, story-telling and drop-in sessions. For more information about this event and booking and ticketing details visit: www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/whats-on
Ilkley’s regular Saturday market will also be taking place on The Grove on the same day.
