Wallsend is ready for festival fun

The popular Wallsend Festival returns next weekend with a free and fun-packed programme.

Now in its 22nd year, the community event will take place in Wallsend town centre on Saturday 1 July, between 10am and 5pm.

There will be fairground rides, circus workshops, character walkabouts, live music including a battle of the bands competition and lots of activities in the library.

Bands and solo artists from North Tyneside’s Standing Upright Project will be performing on the stage outside of the Forum Shopping Centre. The project works with young people, supporting them to overcome anxieties or difficulties when it comes to performance, enabling them to reach their potential as emerging artists.

Segedunum Roman Fort will host an under 18s Battle of the Bands competition featuring young musicians from across the borough. The winner will have the opportunity to perform on the main stage at the Mouth of the Tyne Festival. The museum will be offering free admission throughout the day for those wanting to explore the town’s Roman history.

Wallsend’s Customer First Centre will have a range of free activities including story time sessions (10am and 11am), facepainting (10am – 12pm), children’s crafts (10am – 12pm), as well as refreshments, a local history display, book sale and local gifts stall.

Fairground rides will be located on the High Street and at Coronation Street Car Park and there will be circus skills workshops taking place adjacent to the Anson Pub.

There will be free facepainting inside the Forum Shopping Centre between 10am and 12pm.

A collection of classic scooters will be on display between Park Road and High Street East. People can take a look at the scooters and chat to the owners.