Penrith’s Winter Droving is set to return next month for a three-day extravaganza – for the first time in its 10-year history.
From October 28 to October 30, music and street performances, street food, an art and craft market and vintage funfair will take over the streets of the town.
The packed programme includes Manchester’s Mr Wilson’s Second Liners, The Baghdaddies, and the UK’s only all female Mariachi band.
Although the parade can’t happen due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns, organisers Eden Arts say that there will be a new evening son et lumiere event featuring a fire breathing dragon and lanterns in St Andrew’s Churchyard.
Organisers say the event will be unmissable and are asking people planning to attend to get a wristband before they attend.
Adrian Lochhead, Winter Droving director, said: “The wristbands will help monitor visitor numbers, to avoid overcrowding and make the event as COVID-19 safe as possible.
“It’s crucial we keep on top of the numbers of people attending so that we can go ahead at all.
“if everyone gets a wristband, then we can monitor expected numbers over the three days and make sure that our plans are appropriate.
“We have created the wristbands for attendees to pre-purchase online before the event. They just need to make a donation to cover the costs and specify which day they wish to attend.
“We also hope to see people wearing these wristbands well after the festival has finished – proud to be Drovers!”
Ast Signs will be sponsoring this year’s wristband scheme, by match funding all donations.
Ast Signs of Penrith have been a loyal supporter of the Winter Droving for many years. This year more than ever, their sponsorship is crucial to the delivery of the festival. As Adrian mentions, another measure to ensure Penrith is not too crowded is that for the first time in its 10-year history, the Winter Droving will span three days, in an attempt to spread crowd numbers.
Organisers Eden Arts said: “While this extended approach helps to ensure safety and make sure the event goes ahead, this means the event inevitably costs more to run, so your donations towards wristbands will also help cover the costs of the festival and ensure Eden Arts, as a local charity, can run it again in the future.
“This is the 10th Droving celebration that Eden Arts has put on for the people of Penrith – the organisers are keen to make sure that it’s not the last.”
Also performing are Cumbrian indie-rock band My Little Brother, The Native Cult and Delegrave, who have both performed as part of the BBC’s Introducing stage.
Local favourites, Ponyland, appear on all three days alongside Winter Droving newcomers Palo Alto, dance duo Sushi, Errant Thieves and more.
Regular Drovers will also see some familiar names performing this year, such as Blue Jam, Weird String Band, Uncle Carbunkle, and the mysterious BAAB.
Organisers said: “This year’s festival may look slightly different, but it is still guaranteed to be an eclectic mix of uplifting and diverse street entertainment.
“This includes Mariachi las Adelitas, an all female mariachi band from London, and the mesmerising African Circus, who combine traditional tribal dance routines with acrobatic circus skills.
“Another new addition to this year’s Winter Droving is the larger-than-life fire breathing dragon, which will feature alongside the beloved illuminated lanterns in St Andrew’s Churchyard.
“So… eat, dance and be merry as the music plays and the spectacles are enjoyed.
“The vintage funfair will feature not one but two Ferris wheels (maybe you can wave to each other), a helter skelter, carousel and, for this year only, a Wall of Death.
The market will feature once again, with a diverse mix of Arts and Craft stalls featuring artisan jewellers and local artists, among some great take home food stalls. The markets will run from 11am until 8pm and are the perfect place to start this year’s Christmas shopping.
“Another change to the event is that there will be a central area in Penrith dedicated to having something to eat, with tables in the market square.
“The Droving this year is taking a much more ‘cafe culture’ approach to the day, so that people can linger, eat, enjoy their day out and take in the Penrith atmosphere.
“We have also introduced a fun trail around the town for children to get involved in. If they can find all the Droving animals in the local shop windows, then they can win a prize! There are also some pesky pom pom sheep to spot along the way, that have taken up residency in some of the local businesses.”
