Penrith’s annual winter festival parade, which was cancelled last month due to high winds, is now set to go ahead.
The Winter Droving, originally called off less than 24 hours before it was due to take place in October, had been postponed over safety concerns. Forecasts of strong winds in Cumbria raised fears that temporary structures could collapse, putting participants and spectators at risk.
Organisers have now confirmed that the parade will take place on 22 November as part of Discover Penrith’s Christmas lights switch on. The torch-lit procession is expected to draw tens of thousands of spectators to the town, who can watch the event free of charge.
Festival director Adrian Lochhead told BBC Radio Cumbria that he has been working closely with Penrith BID and Discover Penrith to find a way to reschedule the event. “We’ve always managed to do something, even during COVID,” he said, highlighting the festival’s resilience.
The cancellation last month was costly for organisers, who had to refund traders and cover payments for materials that could not be used. “We want to maintain a good relationship with everyone, so we’ve been going through that process over the last two or three weeks,” Mr Lochhead explained.
After announcing the rescheduled date, Mr Lochhead added: “Hundreds of people wanted to join in with it, which is great isn’t it? I’m really pleased that we were able to do this.”
With the new date confirmed, Penrith residents and visitors can look forward to the return of the Winter Droving’s festive atmosphere, torch-lit displays, and community celebration ahead of the Christmas season.
