Hyde Park is gearing up for a 'post-lockdown reunion' packed with food, music and entertainment over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Replacing the Hyde Park ‘Party in the Park’ – a big-name music festival running until 2004, the all-new Hyde Mela event will bring a local focus on the music and dance talent within Hyde.

The big event will take place in Hyde Park on Sunday (29 August), with events and entertainment running from 11am to 4pm.

Hyde Past and Present Facebook co-ordinator Andrew Richardson said the day was being staged ‘for the whole community to bring everyone together and fosters an idea of social cohesion, especially in a town like Hyde where we have such a diversity of people in the community.’

He clarified: “Just to explain what a Mela is, it is an Asian term for a market where there is entertainment on to celebrate an event.” 

He praised the local Asian community for bringing forward the idea of staging the Mela to celebrate the end of lockdown.

The market element itself will have food and charity stalls designed to provide a satisfying day for all.

There will also be fairground rides for children, while local dancers and singers such as the groups Allegiant Youth and BomBom Fitness will provide the entertainment. 

There will also be a live DJ and music plus much more, with the music and dancing centred around the park bandstand.

The event will also be formally opened by the Civic Mayor of Tameside, Councillor Janet Cooper. 

Local businesses around Hyde have been generous enough to finance the event – recognising the importance of contributing to a strong social community following a difficult year.

Although local councillors are involved in helping with the organisation of the event, it is not a council-organised event and a small army of volunteers have rallied round to make it happen. Andrew added even the toilets in the park will be open on the day.

Banners promoting the event have gone into production while other advertising has been placed around the park already.

The festival is still on the lookout for volunteers to help out on the day, so feel free to volunteer whilst you’re there!

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