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DARLINGTON is again about to burst into life with fun, activity and all that is ingenious about the town!
Bring the family along on Saturday, July 13, and join in with the annual Festival of Ingenuity – a nod to Darlington’s history as the town where the railways began, and the enduring legacy of its engineering and manufacturing heritage.
Home of the world’s first passenger railway, and a subsea centre – with no sea – Darlington has a reputation for ingenuity. World-famous Cleveland Bridge has contributed to structures all around the globe, while Cummins Engines is celebrating its centenary globally and more than half-a-century in the town.
As well as a day of celebration filled with free family fun, there will be street entertainment, live music and delicious, locally produced food and drinks. There’ll be plenty of opportunities to try a wide range of entertaining, interactive activities, and meet Darlington's most innovative companies.
Darlington Partnership director, Seth Pearson, said: “Darlington has a special place in history, and has long been known for its ingenuity.
“That spirit can still be found in the town’s employers today, and many of those firms will be attending the Festival to engage and inspire the next generation of creators.
“Last year was a great success, and we really hope that more people will come down this year, to join in the fun, and see for themselves what an ingenious town we are.”
Hosted by Darlington Borough Council, and again supported by Darlington Building Society, the festival promises to have a real party atmosphere, while offering great learning opportunities for the kids, and an insight into what Darlington’s businesses have to offer.
Some of Darlington’s premier companies will be involved, including Cummins Engines, Nifco, and Deep Ocean.
You’ll be able to watch a 3D printer at work, and see how good you are at controlling a miniature sub-sea robot.
The action will be taking place in the Market Square, from 10am to 4pm, where the exhibition marquee will be filled with engaging activities for the whole family.
Riverside Park, behind the Town Hall, will host a full day of music between 11am and 6pm. The must-see acts will kick off with John Stainthorp & The Laughing Hearts - a rootsy folk artist who will have you tapping your feet one minute, and smiling with nostalgia the next; followed by acoustic duo from Redcar, Komparrison; eclectic quartet from Darlington, The Dead Seat; female-fronted original pop funk band, The Lulas; Spanish-infused 3-piece acoustic band, Los Capitanes; The Phat Tyrtles, bringing the 60s back to life; and closing with Teesside’s premier covers band, The Hootones.
As a part of the Festival of Ingenuity, schools have been invited to take part in a full day of fun, science-based interactive activities on Friday, July 12. For the first time, the Tees Valley Combined Authority is supporting some of the ingenious STEM activities for Year 9s, and Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen will be at the breakfast launch.
Come along and see what a great – and ingenious – town Darlington is.
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