07 Jun The Chelmsford Festival returns in 2021
After being delayed in 2020 by the Covid restrictions, The Chelmsford Festival will be returning to the city after the success of the inaugural festival in 2018. The city’s streets will again be awash with spectacular events that will excite the senses and add vibrancy to the city’s air. The festival will run from Saturday 19 June to Sunday 4 July.
From live music to historic walks, art to street carnival and talks, the festival has something for everyone. The highlights include: The House and Garage Orchestra featuring 90s soul singer, Shola Ama at Admirals Park on Friday 25 June, Ska/ Reggae band ‘The Dualer’s’ with ‘From the Jam’ and The Special’s Neville Staples, will take to the park’s stage the following night for a night of feelgood tunes. Chelmsford-based live music venue Hot Box and electronic collective Resonance will be hosting music events in the High Street to celebrate ‘Make Music Day’ on Monday 21 June, from noon.
Adding a serious note to the festival is BBC journalist Hugh Pym, who will be in conversation at the Cramphorn Theatre on Friday 2 July, discussing the Marconi scandal of 1913.
A new guided circular walk around Moulsham will explore the area’s rich history and will reveal the stories hidden in plain sight in the streets. The walk leaves Chelmsford Museum at 1pm and again at 3pm on Sunday 27 June; booking in advance is required. ‘Streets Alive’ will focus on the city centre and bring a new dimension to the familiar.
Tony Morrison, the creative director of the festival says: “2020 was a difficult year, we had to cancel the festival because of the government advice, but we want to make this festival really something special and celebrate our wonderful community. My own highlight of the festival is ‘Streets Alive’ on Saturday 3 July, it will be silly and totally unpredictable!”. Also running will be several art events including an art exhibition in the Meadows Shopping Centre, a handmade postcard installation in Chelmsford Cathedral, as well as other events.
The carnival will conclude the Chelmsford Festival on Sunday 4 July, and will start at 1pm. This year’s carnival will be a green event with no motorised vehicles taking part, instead revellers are encouraged to be inventive with their floats, as Tony Morrison explains: “Chelmsford has a reputation for ingenuity and engineering excellence so we want people to reflect this in how they design their floats. We want to see go-carts, trollies, bikes, roller skates and anything else which will be bold, exciting and be kind to our environment.”
