Warrington Mela 2024 took place over the weekend, bringing together hundreds of people for a day full of culture, entertainment and community spirit.
Despite the rainy weather, attendees gathered in Queens Gardens and Time Square to celebrate the town’s cultural diversity with music, dance and family friendly activities.
The event kicked off with a parade led by the Dhol drummers from Rhythm of Warrington, setting the scene for a lively day of performances. Throughout the day, visitors were treated to samba rhythms from Batidaa Rio, a captivating puppetry show by The Ancient Giants, and a playful performance of The Elephant and the Drummer by the Sonia Sabri Company.
Even with the persistent rain, spirits remained high as attendees enjoyed performances from various cultural groups, including traditional dances by the Ukrainian folk group Radist and Warrington’s Igbo Women’s Group.
The Hong Kong Community and Warrington Malayali Association also took part in a colourful procession. The day wrapped up with an interactive Bhangra dance session led by the SonAash Sisters, bringing everyone together for a final celebration.
Families braved the weather to enjoy street theatre, arts and crafts and wellbeing activities, while performances like Kit and Caboodle by Thingumajig Theatre were a hit with both children and adults, keeping the crowd entertained throughout the day.
The event, supported by Warrington Borough Council, Culture Warrington and Warrington BID, was another reminder of the town’s fantastic mix of cultures and heritages and the sense of unity that events like this bring, no matter the weather.