Launch of new ‘Feel Good Family Picnic’ event moves to summer 2021

The Feel Good Family Picnic will now be staged in July 2021

Rochdale Borough Council has announced that the launch of the Feel Good Family Picnic, due to be staged for the first time on 25 July has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the new event rescheduled for July 2021.

Earlier this year the council revealed early plans for the brand new free annual summer event to be held in Broadfield Park. Organised by the team behind Rochdale Feel Good Festival it was supposed to be a huge day of fun activities, performances, sports and shows for children and a ‘magical day out in beautiful setting’.

However, Councillor Janet Emsley, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, community and culture at Rochdale Borough Council said it was proving impossible to develop, plan and finance the event in the current climate.

She said: “We are really sorry to postpone the Feel Good Family Picnic which we were so excited to bring to Rochdale for the first time. The safety and security of our audiences, staff and artists is obviously of paramount importance and with so much uncertainty and council resources diverted into responding to the crisis it is proving too big a challenge to develop and organise. In addition, the external funding that we hoped to attract to contribute to the costs of delivering the event is rightly focused on the emergency response now.”

The majority of acts and shows due to appear this year are being re-booked for 2021. 

Councillor Emsley added: “Whilst this summer event unfortunately isn’t feasible we will be re-lighting the fire and returning with what will be an unmissable family day out in July 2021 when this challenging time is over. One thing I can promise is we will be focusing on making the first Feel Good Family Picnic truly amazing. Until then, thank you for your patience and support, and most importantly, stay safe.”

The Feel Good Family Picnic will be staged in partnership with Link4Life, Without Walls Touring Network Partnership and Spare Parts – the UK’s festival of art, performance and spectacle, dedicated to transport, travel and motion. The 2021 date is yet to be confirmed.