City’s newest festival for vintage thrills

The first Riverside Vintage Summer Festival comes to Avenham Park this weekend, with stalls selling great gifts, treats and treasures and music from a host of local stars.
Seamus McLoughlin by Martin CogleySeamus McLoughlin by Martin Cogley
Seamus McLoughlin by Martin Cogley

The two day festival, which runs from noon to 6pm on Saturday July 13 and Sunday July 14, at the Riverside Cafe, in the Avenham Park Pavilion, was inspired by last year’s Guild celebrations on the park.

Organised by the owners of the Riverside Vintage Fair, which usually runs in the nearby New Continental pub, the event is free entry and will feature vintage and handmade stalls, selling everything from cakes to flowers, clothing, jewellery, curios, gifts, handmade crafts and lots more.

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On both days, the crowds will be entertained by the cream of the city’s music talent on the Mmmmm Music stage.

Headliners will be Doug Perkins and The Spectaculars.

Other artists due to play are singer songwriter Abigail Redmond Best and multi-instrumentalist Matt Gallagher, formerly of Los Vencidos and The Uncomfortables, now playing in both Victorian Dad and with rising star Karima Francis’s band, The Clever.

There will be solo tunes from Ivan Campo vocalist Adam Shaw, Prestonian singer songwriters Seamus McLoughlin, Baxter Rhodes, Katie Pickles, David Shurr, Jamie Brewer and Bill Orrick,

Bands on the bill include the irrepressible Mobius Loop, Crossbill, Mog Stanley and the psychedelic Spiral Scouts.

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There will also be performances from Andy Gutteridge and Bill Beaver, a solo spot
from Johnny 5th Wheel the Cowards frontman, Richard Lomax - and a performance from the stage’s curator, former Star27 frontman Frank Beaver in his new solo project, Firstname Frank.

Originally, the plan was to run a music stage on just one of the festival days, but so many musicians applied to play that organisers had to rethink.

Frank said: “Originally we planned to just do music on Sunday. But the amount of people who wanted to do it was phenomenal so we extended it to two days.

“When we did the pop up stage for last year’s Guild, we had a band every hour.

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“This time, we have so many that we’re having one every half an hour!”

Alongside the bands, will be more than 30 stalls. Burnley’s Electron Records will be there with lots of old school vinyl, 78s and even cassette tapes, and some great collectors pieces.

Hoolala Jewellery and Keepsake Creations will also be selling some wonderful handcrafted pieces. There is a pop-up beer tent and, on Saturday, dance fans can try swing dancing. The cafe is even putting on a nostalgic vintage themed menu.

And, with the sun looking set to shine throughout the weekend, it should be a great first year for the Riverside Vintage Summer Festival.

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Riverside Vintage organiser Stevie Guy said: “Following the success of last year’s Preston Guild, we have decided to put on our own mini-festival!

“On Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 July, we will be packing the Riverside Café on Avenham Park full of vintage and handmade stalls, cakes, tombola, flower stalls and much more.

“We will have live music and a retro themed menu in the café itself – and the event is absolutely free!”