A BRADFORD street was packed with visitors who enjoyed a popular festival which returned after a two-year absence.

North Parade Street Festival saw the area at the top of the city centre taken over by a host of food stalls, street entertainment, including stilt walkers, and other family entertainment.

The annual event, which started in 2014, was unable to take place last year because of lockdown and the Covid-19 restrictions but this year saw it bounce back as a single-day event.

The Business Improvement District (BID) sponsored today's family fun event to help support shops, bars, cafes and other businesses to get back on their feet as they recover from the impact of the pandemic.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

The festival featured a makers’ market of arts and craft stalls and a wide variety of food and drink vendors. Several of the area's bars and restaurants offered outdoor facilities, including Crafted, Peacocks and the Boar & Fable.

There was even a guest appearance from Bradford City mascot Billy Bantam, who posed for pictures with visitors.

Visitors and stallholders agreed it was good to see an outdoor event taking place in Bradford again after the pandemic has shut down a number of events over the last 18 months.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Mark and Sharon Laban, of Wibsey, had fun on North Parade Mark and Sharon Laban, of Wibsey, had fun on North Parade

Mark Laban, of Wibsey, said: "It's good to see people again. It's nice to to people mingling.

"The weather has been good. The last time they did it a couple of years ago it was a total washout.

"It's nice to get out and to see them all together and because it's outside people aren't wearing masks."

 

Sammie Kaup-Samuels, of Bradford, also enjoyed seeing people socially interact again.

He said: "It's so good to have this festival on again. It's good to see something happening again."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Liam Mooney and Kate Everett enjoy a drink at the festivalLiam Mooney and Kate Everett enjoy a drink at the festival

Liam Mooney, of Bradford, attended the festival with Kate Everett, of Leeds but originally from Dallas, Texas.

He said: "The festival is pretty good. It's the first time I have been back to North Parade since the pandemic. It's good to be back."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Councillor Si Cunningham Councillor Si Cunningham

Councillor Si Cunningham (Lab, Bolton & Undercliffe), who attended the festival, says it was a good showcase for North Parade and its businesses.

He said: "It's always been a thriving street and it's nice to see North Parade business back to life.

"It's such a varied, independent offer here and this festival gives it a chance for that to shine and to encourage more people to come back into town."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: From left, Ksenija Samodurova and her mother Sandra Verrell at their Blooming Fern stall at the festivalFrom left, Ksenija Samodurova and her mother Sandra Verrell at their Blooming Fern stall at the festival

Sandra Verrall, who ran the Blooming Fern handcrafted wreath making stall at the event alongside her daughter Ksenija Samodurova, said: "This is the first time I have come here.

"It's busier than I expected. The people are nice."

There was no big stage this year but there was a variety of acoustic music acts that performed at various locations around North Parade.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: United As One were one of the musical acts who performed at the festivalUnited As One were one of the musical acts who performed at the festival

One such artist who performed at the event was Gary Washington. He said: "This is the first time I have played this festival.

"The crowds in Yorkshire always have a good energy and want to have a good time."