The town is set to become ‘a giant creative playground’ later this month
Stockport to become a one-mile creative playground for free street festival Move a Mile(Image: Move A Mile)
Stockport town centre is set to become ‘a giant creative playground’ later this month when a free event brings a day of music, dancing, street art and skateboarding.
Move a Mile, which will also feature live performances, is a family-friendly event designed to encourage people to be active without making physical activity feel like a chore.
Following the success of a recent Move a Mile in Salford, GRIT Studios and The Coping are joining forces once again to bring the concept to Stockport for their biggest event yet, with up to 3,000 people expected to attend.
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It will create a one-mile creative trail through Stockport town centre, connecting GRIT Studios’ two creative hubs in Canal Street and Kingston Street, and taking participants through Lower Hillgate, Little Underbank and Great Underbank.
There is a GRIT Studios at each end of the route, so people can start from either hub and walk it in whichever direction they prefer. Activities will be spread along the way, encouraging people to explore Stockport on foot and stop to take part as they go.
Free beginner skate lessons, skate jams, giveaways and prizes will run throughout the day, including cash prizes for some of the best tricks landed on specially created features.
Away from the skate action, visitors can expect live DJs, a kids’ disco, live music, street artists painting live, interactive creative workshops and a community mural.
Dance will also play a major part, with workshops, breakdance demonstrations and a silent disco added to the programme. Plus, lots of local community groups and businesses have added their support, including Stockport County Community Trust, SK1 Records, Runaway Brewery, Pure Innovations, Underbank and Dave Draws.
Wil Hesketh, from The Coping, said: “After the response to our Salford event in July, we’re really excited to bring Move a Mile to Stockport and create another day where creativity, wellbeing and community come together.
“We want people to come along and feel part of something, whether they’re skating, dancing, making art, listening to music or simply walking the route with friends and family. You don’t need to be a skater, dancer or artist. You can come along, have a go, watch, listen, create or explore. The important thing is that everyone feels welcome.”
John Macaulay, co-founder of GRIT Studios, said: “Move a Mile is about turning the streets into somewhere people can meet up, have fun and get involved, whatever their age or background.
“The Salford event showed us just how powerful the combination of movement, creativity and community can be, and we wanted to take that energy somewhere new. Stockport has such a brilliant creative community and we’re looking forward to bringing everyone together for a day that feels completely different.”
The event runs from 11am to 4pm on Sunday, September 27 and is free and open to everyone. Simply register here for a free ticket.
There is no requirement to take part in any activity. Visitors can follow the mile-long route at their own pace and discover what is happening along the way.
Organisers hope the festival will show how creativity and physical activity can transform everyday public spaces, and encourage people to connect with their local community.
Start from either GRIT Studios, Canal Street (SK1 3BZ) or GRIT Studios, Kingston House, Kingston Street (SK3 0EA).
