Horse + Bamboo is an outstanding charity based in the heart of Waterfoot; founded in 1978, the organisation works to bring high-quality arts and cultural experiences to the local valley community all year round, from its well-renowned venue of the same name. Waterfoot Wakes is Horse + Bamboo’s annual FREE family festival based across the town over the course of 10 days; featuring an eclectic mix of family theatre, live music, participatory events, (including our on-foot parade through Waterfoot!) and more, there is sure to be something for everyone.

What we'll deliver:

• Deliver high quality performances from professional artists
• Offer participatory workshops and activities
• Community-led parade through Waterfoot
• And much more, all for FREE for YOU to engage with and enjoy

Why it's a great idea:

Rossendale, Lancashire and the North West has historically been underserved as an arts provision. Horse + Bamboo, amongst others, works to address this, as part of our civic role within the community; we believe that everyone should have access to high quality cultural experiences, no matter who they are, what their background is or where they live – keeping this community-led festival free, which helps us realise such a vision. By donating to this Crowdfunder today, you will help ensure that Waterfoot Wakes continues as a festival in 2024. It will cost the organisation around £25K to stage this arts festival, which in past years has brought acts like Circus Raj, Little Angel Theatre and Clive Chandler’s Punch and Judy to Waterfoot; your contributions will help add to the cost of paying for the festival, in order to keep entry completely free to our audience.

Steps to get it done:

• Evaluation of 2023 Waterfoot Wakes Festival
• Initial Ideas meeting for 2024 Festival
• Theme Decision for 2024 Festival
• First round of programming
• Contact Schools about Parade Making Workshops
• Programme in public Parade Making Workshops
• Contact Community Groups about Parade Participation / Workshops
• First call outs for interest online via social & Website
• Completed Programme confirmed & contracted
• Design work for print & online begins
• Online preparations - ticket links / events / listing sites
• Festival Online - announcement day!
• Print material distributed across Waterfoot
• Festival volunteer call out
• Sponsor Event
• First Festival Day!

The crowning jewel within Waterfoot Wakes is our Waterfoot Parade. Lead by Caribbean Carnival parade band, Cacophany Arkestra, our sensational parade through the town includes local schools, who, working with our parade leader, Alastair Price, create large-scale parade pieces and banners. The parade also features local organisations and community groups, previous years have included the likes of Valley Artists & Drum Majorettes. The Wakes first launched in 2018, replacing Horse + Bamboo’s previous Puppet Festival, with a broader, community-focused approach and with the intent of giving Waterfoot a ‘holiday at home’ vibe. This idea stems from the traditional Lancashire Wakes week-long holiday, wherein all local factories closed. The team, each year, are considering new ways to bring The Wakes back bigger and better for our audiences. Our biggest priority, however, is to ensure that Waterfoot Wakes remains accessible and FREE for everyone to attend.