Everything you need to know about The Bridge event in Walton

A massive Bridge has appeared in Walton as the centrepiece of Liverpool’s first big cultural outdoor event post-lockdown.

The spectacular structure, which measures 72ft long and 19ft high and looks like a broken bridge, will be the backdrop for free daytime activities and two stunning evening performances over the next three days.

It’s been constructed on the Rezzy and created by Coventry-based company Imagineer Productions which specialises in making larger-than-life theatre and outdoor performances.

Bridge is the first event in a creative programme for the Walton area, focusing on ‘remember, reimagine and revitalise’, as part of a £1million regeneration plan for County District Centre.

After more than a year of us all being apart due to Covid, Bridge is about building bridges – bringing the community together and celebrating local pride.

Like lots of big events in the city supported by Culture Liverpool, there’s not only things to see, but plenty of things to do as well for all the family.

So, if you’re planning to get involved, here’s everything you need to know about Bridge …

When is it and what’s happening?

Bridge is on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, August 5-7. 

Every day from 10am until 5pm, there’ll be free Under The Bridge activities and pop-ups going on. 

You can find out more about the broken bridge by grabbing some headphones and listening to the backstory as you wander around, or take a seat under the bridge to listen to the Bridge Stories Podcast, which is a collection of stories about bridge-building and bridge-burning.

On Friday and Saturday evening, from 8.45pm to 9.45pm, Imagineer will put on a show of gravity-defying circus acrobatics, parkour, theatre and live music, as their agile engineers try to bridge the gap.

What kind of performances will be in the daytime?

If you’d prefer to watch than take part, there’s a programme each day packed with local community groups and arts organisations including drummers, an orchestra, choir, Zumba sessions, a brass band and dance.

How much is it?

It’s all free! It’s suitable for all ages (under 14s should be accompanied by an adult) and there’s no tickets needed for anything during the day.

What about the evening shows?

They are free too but entry is ticketed and limited and they’re all now booked for both nights. If you missed out, there are still other ways to get involved …

Credit: imagine-bridge.co.uk

What else can you do?

Apart from joining in some of the daytime activities Under the Bridge, you can also Put Yourself in the Picture – get a selfie in front of the broken Bridge and with a bit of smart angle work you could be the one who bridges the gap.

People can also have a go at building their own bridges using Imagineer Bridge Kits. There are table-top kits available too for anyone who doesn’t have the space for a big one. 

How to get there – and where to park

There is no parking in the area around the event, except limited disabled parking bays, so organisers are recommending using public transport. Bridge is at Millennium Green, Breeze Hill so the nearest Merseyrail train station is Kirkdale.  

What about the weather?

Bridge is outdoors, so keep that in mind when you’re packing either suncream or a brolly (preferably not big ones as they’ll block other people’s view!)

Can you take food and drink?

Yes. There will be some traders there but you can also take your own food and unopened soft drinks.

Are there seats?

No, so best to bring a blanket to sit on – and it’ll help keep you warm later on.

Are there toilets?

There are loos within the event site and there’ll be a team wearing hi-vis jackets to help point you in the right direction and answer any questions.