Love'em or hate'em they are in your face in a town near you. Here we go again for the fourth year running. Organisers have been a bit slow off the mark this season but we've got as many of the melas we could get hold of. We'll have some updates as soon as we get them.
BRADFORD MELA
Peel Park
Sat 26 June and Sun 27 June
They change organisers like a Bollywood heroine changes clothes those Yorkshireman. It's supposed to be the biggest in Europe. But as an ex-girlfriend once said..size my dearest doesn't matter.
ROCHDALE MELA
Springhill Park
Sat 10 July
Not all things from Rochdale are typical. This mela proves the pundits wrong and is surprisingly good.
KIRKLEES MELA
Greenhead Park, Huddersfield
Sun 11 July
Bakhshi Javaid Salamat and his Qawwali group, Dalvinder Singh, Bombay Baja, Azra Jahan, Hunterz and Gubbi and Manak-e. A right mix on show here and there's loads more. Worth the trek up the M62.
BLACKBURN MELA
Witton Park
Sat July 17th and Sun July 18th
The big switch from Corporation park to Witton Park takes place this year and we'll have to wait and see if has an affect on the atmosphere. Whllst we all love Stereonation maybe organisers could give us someone else this year. Here's hoping for another big party.
MELA MANCHESTER
Heaton Park
Sun 25 July
Over 40,000 were said to have turned out last year. Maybe due to the fact the Platt Fields park mela in the city was cancelled. But take nothing away from the Mela Manchester folk who really do put on a show. The multi-cultural bazaar featuring food and goods from a host of nations is a real bonus.
PENDLE FESTIVAL
Victoria Park
Sun July 31st July / Mon 1st Aug
The name's changed and so has the show to what was formerlly the Nelson mela. A good idea. Further information available by calling 01282 661 784.
PRESTON MELA
Avenham Park
Sun August 1st
Prestonians have got all technical on us. The Mela committee had unique research carried out about the festival. It turns out it has a positive impact on the city. Well it does. And if you don't believe take a stroll down this year.
HYNDBURN SUMMER FESTIVAL
Oakhill Park
Sat 7 and Sun 8 August
Incorporating the Hyndburn Mela
BOLTON MELA
Queens Park
Sun 15 Aug
They may not have the crowds and have clashed with some of the bigger melas. This year they're on their own. A good family day out.
And the best of the rest...
LEICESTER BELGRAVE MELA
Abbey Park
12-13 July
The Midlands finest with a real carnival atmosphere.
LONDON MELA (EALING)
Gunnersbury Park
15 Aug
If you can afford to pay for the all the charges and don't mind Londoners ...it's the one for you.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE MELA
Exhibition Park
Sun 29 / Sat 30th Aug
Asian flavours Geordi style. Largely overlooked this one but defitnitely worth a visit.
EDINBURGH MELA
Pilrig Park
Sat 4 / Sun 5 Sept
They throw a top party north of the border and it's just a great city anyway.
More information at www.edinburgh-mela.co.uk
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