Liverpool will host a day of celebrations July 10 in honor of the city’s favorite sons, the Beatles.
Intended as a 24-hour celebration of the Fab Four, the Beatles Day program will include a number of special events taking place throughout the northern English city, including a Beatles Parade, a Beatles Fun Run and tribute bands playing a series of roof top gigs.
The day will culminate in “Imagine: The Concert” at the city’s 10,000-capacity Echo Arena, where a number of contemporary bands will perform Beatles’ hits, selected by the public.
According to organizers, both Sir Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono have expressed their support for Beatles Day, which it is hoped will become an annual event. Liverpool is currently in the midst of its year-long celebrations as a European Capital of Culture.
“Liverpool and The Beatles are inseparable,” comments Phil Redmond, deputy chairman of Liverpool Culture Company, in a statement. “Liverpool made the Beatles what they were and their immortal heritage has come to play a huge role in the way the city is viewed around the world today. I would love people to come to view Beatles Day as a landmark on the calendar in years to come.”
The date was chosen because on July 10, 1964 thousands of screaming fans greeted the band at Liverpool’s Speke airport, following their triumphant first tour of America. Later that day, an estimated 100,000 fans lined the city streets as John, Paul, George and Ringo attended a civic reception for the premiere of “A Hard Day’s Night”.
In a novel spin on ’60s Beatlemania, 20,000 specially-made mop-top wigs will be on sale prior to July 10, which the public will be encouraged to wear throughout the day. All proceeds from the event are to be divided between local charities The Alder Hey Imagine Appeal and Liverpool Unites.
Donations can be made online at www.justgiving.com/beatlesday.
