Cliffhanger to enjoy “the only day of Summer this year.”
Visitors to the two-day Cliffhanger, Sheffield's new outdoor event for outdoor people, should get ready to unpack their finest summer garb after it was announced that the occasion is set to enjoy the only day of sunshine this year, according to weather forecasters.
The news comes after a torrid time for the city's outdoor events planners - with the likes of the Sheffield Festival of Transport, Mayfest, and scores of others falling foul of Mother Nature's fury.
Piers Corbyn, founder of long-range forecasting firm WeatherAction, predicts a total summer washout except for one weekend - that of Cliffhanger!
He said: "You can forget about summer, the forecast is terrible. It's hard to find a day where it won't rain somewhere. The best chance for a dry day is July 15 - so plan your picnic for then."
With sunshine also mooted on the event's opening day, Saturday 14, things are literally looking bright for the stunning festival making its debut in Graves Park.
"I can't say we've not been a little worried about the forecast for Cliffhanger. We'd had, until this year, a run of a decade without ever having to cancel an event", said Kevin Cheetham, Sheffield City Council's outdoor events officer.
"The fact that forecasters are now predicting glorious sunshine will simply add to what's sure to be a wonderful occasion for all the family."
Already encompassing the likes of the first British Bouldering Championships, a Guinness World Record attempt in the shape of the Dyno competition and an Alpine Beer Festival, Cliffhanger has now added the St Luke's Hospice music and dance spectacular to its roster.
The event, which was due to happen in Endcliffe Park and cancelled because of the weather, will now take place during the normal Cliffhanger hours of 10.30am - 6.30pm and feature a range of local talent - such as the popular Urban Love band and top Breakdance troop Street Vibe aiming to raise funds for Sheffield's only hospice.
For budding stars, there will also be an under 16 talent competition. Youngsters can register on the day.
Tickets for Cliffhanger are £5 for adults - but kids, parking and programmes, are free. See http://www.cliff-hanger.co.uk/ for more.
Cliffhanger is organised by Sheffield City Council Parks and Countryside Department and Woodseats-based outdoor sports event consultants, Heason Events with backing from Decathlon, Spice Yorkshire, Fat Face, Alpkit.com, University of Derby, planetFear.com, Natives.co.uk, Climb Magazine, The Star, Real Radio, Dirty Stop Outs, The British Mountaineering Council, Sports Pulse, Arnold Laver, The Climbing Works, Yorkshire Forward and ERDF.
For more information, call Kevin Cheetham on: 0114 273 6433 or Matt Heason on: 0114 296 9114/0796 652 9219.
