Northwich River Festival 2021 cancelled again over Covid pandemic

The popular annual event was cancelled in 2020 just days before it was due to take place in the town as the coronavirus pandemic began to take its hold on the UK.

Now, almost a year on, the organisers have again pulled the plug on the event for another year.

Chair of the organising committee, Rotarian John Walton said: “With the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the ability for large groups of people to gather, we have grasped the nettle and decided to give the Festival a rest for a second year”.

Northwich Barons Quay, Northwich River Festival. Picture Start for Race No 3 The Tooth Fairies, The DCC Dragons and The Buoyant Burgers...SW1372019-15.

He went on to say that the event, which attracts up to 15,000 people, takes a lot of organising and carries a large financial risk.

He added: “The last thing we want to do is get everything in place, then having to cancel at the last moment – potentially depleting the Club’s existing funds that would otherwise go to local good causes.

“The committee has decided to make the decision early so that suppliers and traders can plan accordingly.”

Of the other events organised by the Club, the Swimathon will now next take place in March 2022, while there are no current plans to cancel the Beer, Cider and Drinks Festival in September or the FireFest and Bonfire in November.

Club President, Rotarian Tony Rowe, said: We are obviously very disappointed to mothball these events again this year. They have become very popular and, more importantly, raise thousands of pounds for local good causes.

"We will continue to investigate alternative ways to raise funds that are Covid-safe. For example, in 2020, Rotary in Northwich helped to bring the Drive-in Cinema to the town in September, as well as organising the Big Rotary New Year’s Raffle and Santa’s visits.”