Ferringo Fest 2024 returns to Bury as 1,500 party despite weather

Ferringo Fest returned to Elton Vale Sports Club on Sunday for its sixth event, with around 1,500 revellers braving the rain to see an impressive line-up of live music and family entertainment.

The Steve Ferringo Band toured the UK and Ireland for more than 30 years, the same amount of time Steve Rogers, 61, had been with his wife Ange.

Ange died in April 2015 after suffering with cancer. Within a month, Steve was diagnosed with cancer but received successful treatment in good time.

Having experienced the tireless work of the doctors and nurses involved, Steve felt it was only right to host a fundraiser to provide much-needed funds for two charities.

The first festival took place in 2017, running the following two years before it was forced to take a break until 2022 due to the pandemic.

But organisers still managed to raise thousands in remote gigs during Covid.

The festival raises funds for Macmillan Cancer Support and North Care Charity.

This year, two of the stages were named after Steve's sister Christine Clarke, known as Crissy - who died in January aged 58 following a blood clot - and Amanda Penney, who was a big fan of the festival.

The touching gesture allowed the event - which ran from 12pm to around 8pm - to pay tribute to them both, which Steve said was "emotional".

Around 1,500 people attended Ferringo Fest (Image: Danny Crompton)

Steve said: "For the past few years we have been lucky with the weather, unlike this year.

"The amount of people there was immense, we have a lot who always come. It was fantastic.

"This year was extra special as I lost my sister Crissy in January and we dedicated a stage to her. She was always at the festival.

"All Amanda's family were there too and they were very grateful for what we did."

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The crowd loved the entertainment (Image: Danny Crompton)

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Steve is also quick to praise the team for helping him put together the event once again.

He added: "There's always a lot of people involved in the making of it.

"I could never do it on my own, it's a real team effort."

There will also be an auction charity event at the Elton Vale Road club on Friday, July 26 from around 7.30pm, with details set to be announced on the festival's website. 

Thousands of pounds are expected to be raised for the charities again, with the exact amount set to be announced later this year.

PICTURES AND VIDEO: DANNY CROMPTON