‘It brings the community together’: Thousands flock to Armley festival for music, food and family fun

Armley was buzzing with music, laughter and the sound of children playing as thousands of people came together for this year’s Armley festival.

Families, musicians, community groups and local businesses descended to the festival today for an afternoon packed with live music, stalls, food and plenty of activities for all ages.

From children bouncing around on space hoppers and taking part in tug of war to people browsing stalls and settling down to watch local musicians perform, there was plenty going on across the festival site.

Local green party councillor, Lou Cunningham, said herself and the team had been working towards the event for months.

“It’s one of those things where, more or less, as soon as one festival is over we start planning the next one,” she told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

“The team is amazing and the build-up for the day has just been so exciting.”

Lou was also hard to miss, arriving at the festival dressed as a unicorn, a costume which has become something of a festival tradition.

Explaining the unusual outfit, she said: “A few years ago some of the kids were all asking for unicorns to be at the festival, so we invested in a costume and I’ve just carried on ever since.”

“Lots of the kids just stop and want a photo taken with the unicorn.”

For Lou, one of the best things about the festival is seeing the community come and have fun together.

“Every single person I’ve spoken to has been coming up to me saying they’re having such a great time, and it’s amazing to have so many activities that people can take part in for free,” she told the YEP.

Music was a big part of the afternoon, with the last minute announcement of rising indie band Westside Cowboy drawing in huge crowds.

Local Leeds band ‘Dulakes’ were among those performing at the festival, with guitarist Joe Rainbow praising the atmosphere in Armley.

“The crowd were great to play to, it sort of filled up as the afternoon went on, and now there’s a huge crowd here to see Westside Cowboy,” he said.

Regular festival attendee Katy Ryder also highlighted the importance of having an event that celebrates the local area.

“Even just seeing all the different things that are going on and all the different groups is so brilliant,” she told us.

And walking around the festival, there was certainly plenty to see- from crystal stalls to ponies in the field, mosaic workshops and community groups.

For one afternoon, Armley became a celebration of the people, music and community that make the area what it is.