The free family fun weekend is at Sefton Park Cricket Club
If you’re desperate for a last gasp of summer and a final opportunity to dig out your favourite band T-shirt (Bob Marleys very much encouraged), then this weekend’s Smithdown Road Festival could be just what you need.
After so many setbacks, we have got a festival together for everyone to enjoy
But as with everything since the you-know-what-dreaded-C-word, things aren’t always straightforward, are they? This year, organisers need your help to make the annual event happen and have launched a Crowdfunder to try and raise £2,000 to put on a free family fun weekend for the whole community.
Andy Scott, one of the organisers of Smithdown Fest, says it’s been a massive struggle to get things going again this year.
“Since 2015 we have been running the Smithdown Festival for the whole community,” Andy says.
“We have always kept it as family friendly as we can with events like wrestling, arts and crafts, story time, messy play and of course live music. This year we really need your help.
“After so many setbacks, we have got a festival together for everyone to enjoy - including a wonderful family area taking place outdoors at the Sefton Park Cricket Club.
“With a lack of funding to cover security costs, toilets, fencing, and ground hire - not to mention the entertainment - we are currently looking like we will lose a lot of money this year.”
The annual event features a weekend of boss entertainment with events at all of your Smithdown favourites, including Handymans, Black Cat, Defend Vinyl, Frank's Bar, and Belzan. Smithdown Fest also ties in discounts and offers at a whole load of local shops, cafes and restaurants in the area.
This year, organisers have teamed up with Sefton Park Cricket Club, and kids cafe Little Peacocks, to run a family fun weekend on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 September.
The event will feature live music from Pete Bentham and the Dinnerladies, Buffalo Riot, Loose Moose String Band, Sheepy, Snakes Everywhere, Oranj Son, Kingfast and more. There will also be live wrestling, street food and market stalls, a funfair, picnic area and bar.
The Little Peacocks fun marquee will host circus skills workshops, toddler dance sessions, messy play, story time, crafts, pottery painting and other antics for little ones.
Andy says, “We absolutely hate to let you all down, it is such a fun weekend for everyone in the community to enjoy regardless of whether you are skint or not. We just need your help to get this working again, so we can keep it going for years to come.”
Smithdown Road Festival takes place from 24 - 26 September. Entry is free although they will be taking donations for the Whitechapel Centre.
You can donate to the Smithdown Fest fundraiser at Just Giving.
Read next: An insider's guide to eating and drinking in Smithdown
Read again: Top things to do in Liverpool and beyond - September 2021
Don't miss out
Get the latest food & drink news and exclusive offers by email.
