[F]rank Sinatra once said “Orange is the happiest of colors” and the team behind Penrith Goes Orange are certainly doing there pithy best to ensure that is true of the Cumbrian market town, when it will once again turn orange on Saturday 17th March, in celebration and partnership with the World’s Original Marmalade Awards at Dalemain. The annual event held in the town centre, which is free to attend, will feature a Marmalade and Artisan Market, family fun and entertainment, music and dance, special offers from local businesses, all against an orange backdrop of brilliantly decorated shop windows.
With over 30 bustling market stalls, the event will kick off at 10am with a coffee morning and homemade marmalade sale in St Andrew’s Churchyard, alongside a packed programme of musical acts, dancing performances and family entertainment. Ullswater Community College’s Big Band will get the event off to a flying start, with almost continuous music throughout the day from a variety of local bands and musicians including The Misdemeanours, Scrogan’s Run, Elaine Davidson & Band, Tom Corda-Stanley, Pete Moran, Harry King and Christian Moss. Richard Dunn from Salsa in Cumbria will give a salsa demonstration, and lead taster sessions, and Bishop Yards School of Dance will give a Paddington-inspired dance performance. Greystoke Hand Bell Ringers will also be performing and encouraging people to take up the pursuit with their have-a-go sessions.
The popular Teddy Bear Zip Wire makes a welcome return for adrenalin-seeking bears that are brave enough to launch themselves from the top of St. Andrew’s Church Tower, all to the Mission Impossible theme tune and their owners can test their balance on the Slack Line. Jason the Juggling Jester will once again don his orange suit and dazzle with his tricks, and would-be entertainers can practice their entertainment skills with the team from Circus Whizz. Visitors can rest their feet and hear orange and lemon tales from storyteller Sue Allonby, or catch a special showing of Paddington 2 on screen at the Alhambra Cinema.
The event would not be complete without a visit from the world’s most famous marmalade lover, Paddington who has cleared his busy diary to visit the World’s Original Marmalade Awards at Dalemain and Penrith Goes Orange to taste as many types of marmalade as possible. He will also present the Best Dressed Window prizes along with international dignitaries and Guests of Honour Deputy High Commissioner to India, Ambassador Dinesh Patnaikand the Japanese minister of Agriculture, and the mayor of Yawatahama (the potential location for the Japanese Marmalade Festival) Mr Hiranaka
One of the event organisers, local businessman Alan Reading, a director of J&J Graham, said: We really have tried to develop this year’s event – it’ll be a packed day with lots to see and do, Marmalade to taste, delicious artisan food and interactive entertainment for the whole family.
Mr Reading explained how shops and businesses in Penrith were getting into the spirit of the event. He said: “In addition to shops decorating their windows, we’ve worked with local businesses to involve them – by being part of the Orange Town Trail and by offering special on-the-day deals and discounts, both of which visitors can take advantage of by buying a festival wristband for £2, half of which goes to Hospice at Home. There’s a great prize of £50-worth of Penrith Pounds for the winner of the Orange Town Trail!”
Visitors are encouraged to watch the official Original Marmalade Award Ceremony on the steps of Dalemain Mansion at 10am, and will be able to travel between Penrith and Dalemain on the Orange Express shuttle bus service, which will also make stops at Rheged.
Organised on behalf of Penrith Chamber of Trade and Commerce, the event has been sponsored for the first time by O’Reilly Wealth Management, and grant funded by Penrith Town Council, Penrith BID & Pride in Penrith Lottery.
For the full days programme, see the event pages on Facebook or Twitter, or the new website www.penrithgoesorange.org.uk.
