TONIGHT’S the night of the fiery festival.
As the freezing days are predicted to continue for some time, the traditional Imbolc Festival is getting ready to fire people back into life as Standedge hosts this spectacular Celtic celebration signalling the beginning of spring.
Now in its 19th year, this renowned community festival is one of the biggest dates in Marsden’s event calendar, attracting more than 2,000 people each year, showcasing an amazing torchlit procession, theatrical performances and a glittering firework display.
There’s also a battle not to be missed between ‘Jack Frost’ and the ‘Green Man’, all set to keep the public on the edge of their seats throughout the night.
Festival organiser Angie Boycott-Garnett said: “The festival keeps going from strength-to-strength every year and it’s something that we are tremendously proud of.
“It’s an event designed for all the family and has become a renowned date in the regional event calendar. There’s always a fantastic atmosphere at the festival and Standedge is the perfect place to hold it.”
James Dean, visitor services manager at Standedge Tunnel and Visitor Centre, said: “This is the 200th birthday year of Standedge and the Huddersfield Narrow Canal so we’re kicking off the year with a bang with Imbolc Festival.
“It’s great to see so many of the local community come down to Standedge and support the event each year – we look forward to welcoming them back after we open on Saturday March 19 to take a trip into the tunnel, in what’s a really special year for us and the wider community.”
A series of workshops have been ongoing throughout January at Standedge Visitor Centre where people have had the chance to learn some fire juggling skills and brush up on their performing skills in preparation for the festival.
‘Imbolc’ marks the time when the Earth begins to wake-up after its winter sleep. Imbolc is a 2,000 year old Celtic Festival which marks the first signs of spring, with fire and purification an essential aspect of this festival. The lighting of candles and fires represents the return of warmth and the increasing power of the Sun over the coming months – the spectacular fire display which closes the festival certainly sees to that!
Members of the public should meet at Marsden Railway Station car park around 7pm this evening to join the torchlit procession to Standedge. It is strongly recommended that members of the public do not bring dogs as the fireworks may distress animals.
CONTACT: For more information on the festival call Marsden Information Point on 01484-845595.
