AN organiser of this year’s Mannifest describes the three-day event as ‘creative fun for all the family’.
The annual event, started in 2008, takes place at Glen Lough Farm in Union Mills this weekend (August 3 to 5).
Preparations for the music, arts and crafts festival are being carried out by a band of volunteers and are going well. A Manannan statue visible from the Ballahutchin road has been created by Stephanie Quayle Jackson and Darren Jackson, and is located on the festival site.
Organisers believe this year’s festival will be bigger than ever.
Heidi Danaher, said: ‘Mannifest is a unique festival which only happens once a year here on the island. There’s no added costs of getting away and its improving year on year as we are totally dedicated to making it a success and putting the island on the UK festival circuit. We featured in the UK What’s On Festival Guide and have seen a growing number of bookings from visitors. Each year there are new artistic creations, more bands wanting to join in the fun and we believe there is something for everyone.’
A big plus is that the event is free for under 13s accompanied by an adult who can enjoy numerous activities, such as bouncy castles, rides and zorbing. This is in addition to the arts and crafts area and circus tents.
The event has been described as a ‘unique opportunity to see something different, with a whole range of creative fun for all the family’.
Heidi said: ‘Mannifest is a family friendly festival and we understand that children want to just play and have fun without parents having to dig into their pockets every 10 minutes when their little one wants to go on a ride, again, and again. We delight in seeing happy smiling faces and want the next generation to experience a sense of abundance at Mannifest. In the current economic climate that’s a message we certainly want to inspire in our young.’
There will be a mixture of different genres of music catering for all ages, from blues, soul, funk, dance, reggae and ska. There will also be nightly fire shows plus fireworks on Saturday.
The organisers have taken on board the feedback from members of the public via its Facebook site and improved campsite facilities and security.
The main backer behind the event is Bedouin Wealth Management in Hills Meadow, Douglas, other people who are involved include Okell’s beer and the Manx Cider Company, charities, artists and performers, therapists and yoga teachers, food outlets, Soundcheck youth project and Yarn Barn (which does story telling).
For more information visit www.mannifestlive.com.
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