Stoke-on-Trent hosted two music festivals over the May bank holiday – Burslem Festival & Lyme Light Festival – both being eagerly awaited by the locals.
The Lyme Light Festival is held in the pedestrianised main street and the area known as the Flat Iron Market. The event features a wide variety of music on a sound stage set up in the Old Market Place, as well as at numerous venues throughout the town centre. A good variety of street food outlets and local craft breweries also attend to keep hungry visitors happy.
Keith Stanworth again provided the fairground attractions. Unfortunately, no machine was present this year, so Keith brought along four of his juveniles, comprising his balloons, toy set, mini planes and train ride.
Burslem Festival over the same weekend also featured a variety of music performed on stage by mainly local artists.
As has been the case for many years, local Showman Paul Warwick provided the fair in the Market Place, which is closed to traffic for the duration. The amusements were open from Thursday 28 April until the close of the festival on Monday 2 May.
Three new additions to the family’s attractions made a first time appearance here, comprising Paul Warwick’s new toy set and trailer-mounted hook a duck, along with Paul Warwick Jnr’s fun house, purchased late last year and standing on what had been the Meteorite position.
Also here were the lessee’s Earth Shaker Miami, Twister Twist, Nite Life waltzer and teacups. They were supported by Paul Warwick Jnr’s Autodrom dodgems, tiger inflatable, mini coaster, Paratrooper and pirate boat. Jay Jay Massey provided refreshments from her Jay Jay’s Tasty Snacks and Food Palace canteens, and also brought along her six bed trampolines.
The weather remained dry throughout the weekend, giving all the Showmen a decent living.
Main photo: Paul Warwick Jnr’s Autodrom dodgem on a return visit to Burslem Festival.
