New festival to unite community behind nature-based city vision

Down to Earth Derby has announced details of a brand-new festival, which aims to bring the community together and reimagine Derby as a thriving, nature-based regenerative city.

Re:Imagine Derby, which has been organised with support from the University of Derby, is described as a festival of nature, community and imagination.

Taking place at Down to Earth’s Electric Daisy venue, in Bold Lane, on Saturday 21 September, the day-long event aims to showcase “what Derby can truly become by reconnecting with nature, culture, and each other”.

From 10am to 5pm, Electric Daisy will host interactive workshops, family-friendly events, and sustainability-focused projects, all free of charge.

From 11am, there will be pop-up events nearby, including a ‘Pimp My Wheelbarrow’ competition, in Sadler Gate, and Chalk Play, in the Market Place.

At 3pm there will be a ‘Parade to the River’ led by a brass band, and from 5pm to 10.30pm, Electric Daisy will be hosting live music performances.

According to organisers, Re:Imagine Derby is “not just another festival”.

They describe it as a “crucial movement aimed at addressing the recent challenges faced by the Derby community and putting the environment at the forefront”.

The mission of Down to Earth, which is supported by the Eden Project, in Cornwall, is to reconnect people with nature within the urban landscape and make Derby a pioneer in nature-based regeneration.

The Re:Imagine Derby festival will highlight initiatives to turn the city to face nature, promote regeneration, and support local businesses through creative, community-driven projects.

Jamie Quince-Starkey, founder of Down to Earth Derby, said: “We’ve all seen it – our high street isn’t what it used to be, and hearing Derby ranked as one of the worst places to visit stings.

“Our city’s been through some tough times, and it’s easy to feel like the heart’s gone out of it. But let’s be clear: Derby’s not done yet.

“The power to bring our city back lies within us – its people. With the right spark, we can reimagine our streets, our culture, and our community.

“What if we could bring the city together to imagine what this would look like? Change isn’t just possible, it’s coming!”

To find out more about the Re:Imagine Derby festival, visit https://electricdaisy.org/reimaginederby/ .