Popular Sheffield free festival cancelled for the second year

The annual Lowedges Festival, which has been run by the Greenhill and Bradway Tenants and Residents’ Association for 12 years, was due to take place on Sunday, August 8 at Greenhill Park.

The event features the city’s biggest classic car and bike show, stalls and rides and attracts up to 15,000 visitors each year.

The popular festival fell victim to the coronavirus crisis in 2020 after organisers announced they had been forced to postpone it.

Stephen Rich, treasurer of the Lowedges Festival Group said: “With deep regret and after many hours of fund raising,we have had to decide to cancel for 2021.

Although we are Sheffield’s biggest free festival, with the largest classic vehicle show combined – and despite raising several thousand by donations of offers for free childrens’ rides, a free climbing wall/bungee jump etc, our main sponsor the National Lottery has decided that all funds are for covid priority causes this year. "We don’t blame the Lottery given the circumstances.”

“Although many wished to help and even one company wanted to offer a free beach area, without the £7,000 for the H&S council officer, insurance, fencing and toilets we cant go ahead."

He said a fundraiser would be held later this summer so the festival can be held again in 2022.

"It is a shame because lots of families appreciated the free rides and activities.

“We will back in 2022, providing everything is back to normal, and wish our many thousands of visitors well until then,” he added.

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