Pictures John Hopkins Video Matt Dempsey
VIDEO: THE multi-cultural Warrington Mela returned to the heart of the town with MP Charlotte Nichols describing it as “perhaps the best one yet!
Organised by Warrington Ethnic Communities Association, the annual parade of colourful costumes and drummers started from Warrington town hall to the town’s Cultural Quarter in Palmyra Square between 11 am and 5 pm.
The cultural quarter came alive with singers, dancers and a kids zone, as well as food and clothes stalls.
Speaking before the event one of the organisers Cllr. Mo Hussain said: “It is a fantastic feeling to be able to organise this amazing event again this year after such a successful event last year. We saw more than 2,000 people attend the event last year and we are hoping to see a bigger turnout this year.”
Attractions included Chinese lion dancers, as well as a fantastic line-up of Bollywood singers, Polish Krakowiak, Bhangra dancers, South Indian drummers, African Drummers, IBGO group from Nigeria, magic henna tattooing, a colourful parade and of course, the spicy aroma of world food prepared on-site for everyone to sample, as well as so much more.
Warrington Mela drummers
The event was supported by many, including Warrington Borough Council, the community initiative fund, Warrington Charities Trust, The National Lottery, Warrington Bid, Cheshire Fire and Rescue and Warrington Worldwide.
Cllr Hussain said: “When this event started over 12 years ago as a small community event, we did not anticipate for it to grow so big and it is now attracting people and stall holders both locally and nationally.”
Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols took to social media to praise the event, describing it as “perhaps the best one yet!”
Warrington South MP Andy Carter also joined in the fun describing it as a “lovely afternoon with singing, dancing, great food, lots of stall sand even a Chinese Dragon parade!”
The Warrington Mela parade pauses for a photocall inthe town centre
What an amazing day at the 2023 MELA, in partnership with @WECA_WARRINGTON – our annual celebration of Warrington’s diversity, and perhaps the best one yet!
Read more and see more photos on my Facebook page: https://t.co/f2oNPCixM6 pic.twitter.com/SX4h3UTjNi
— Charlotte Nichols (@charlotte2153) September 17, 2023
🐲A lovely afternoon meeting and talking with the many cultures and backgrounds that make up Warrington South at the #Warrington Ethnic Communities Association Mela 2023 with singing, dancing, great food, lots of stalls and even a Chinese Dragon Parade in Palmyra Square. pic.twitter.com/K5SnkJ420c
— Andy Carter MP (@MrAndy_Carter) September 17, 2023
