Thousands of Salfordians flocked to Media City to soak up the sunshine and indulge in food, drink and live music in celebration of Greater Manchester and how it helped birth the concept of the ‘weekend’.
The “new and imaginative” festival boasted more than 200 free activities catering to all ages – from hourly story time sessions for children, to painting, to sports. A market of pop-up charity shops stretched across the centre where keen thrifters could snag a second-hand bargain. Local vendors also provided home-baked goods and handmade accessories.
The launch of the festival comes after its cancellation last year following the death of HM Queen Elizabeth, and was greatly anticipated by all those involved.
City Mayor Paul Dennett addressed participants on the second day of the festival, Sunday 4, saying: “We Invented the Weekend not only celebrates our progressive social and political history, in terms of giving the weekend to the world, but it also speaks to the here and now with how we do things as a city.
“It is a great feel to be here. It is about family. It’s about community, it’s about diversity, it’s about people coming together in whatever way they feel fit to celebrate free time. Free time that this city gave to the world, and that is phenomenal.
“This is the start of things to come. There is so much work to be done, we need to build on this launch and take it to the next level.” He went on to express ambitions of involving the people of Trafford and beyond in the future, before giving thanks to the many organisers and partners.
Until the 19th century, UK citizens would work six days a week. However, in 1843 workers’ rights activists kickstarted a campaign in Greater Manchester which sought after an early finish on Saturdays. They won, and subsequently invented what is now known as ‘the weekend’.
Delivery partner HemingwayDesign has previously enabled a host of successful events across the country. In a previous interview, founder Wayne Hemingway MBE said: “What we wanted to do is do something that’s meaningful to the place…This place invented the weekend.
“If anywhere was going to be the place to talk about workers’ rights, it would be Salford and Greater Manchester. I can’t think of anywhere else you would.
“[MediaCity] felt the most natural place to hold a festival in Manchester, especially with the indoor space, and the water. Whether you work there, or live there, we felt it was a wonderful place to hold a festival.”
The festival later incorporated a “Free time parade,” which saw attendees march and dance to honour the importance of leisure and its history.
We Invented the Weekend is set to be “bigger and better” than before when it returns in Summer 2024.
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