THOUSANDS of people are expected to converge on Oldbury Wells School over the August Bank Holiday to enjoy the fourth annual Bridgnorth Children’s Festival, which will be bigger and better than ever.
“In just three years the festival has become the largest free event of its kind in the West Midlands,” explained co-ordinator Mark Gibbons. More than 4,500 visitors came to the show in 2008 from as far afield as London and Edinburgh and this year the show is back on Sunday and Monday, August 30 and 31 (11am-5pm).
“The playing fields are turned into a huge tented village, offering a huge range of activities for all the family,” said Mark. “Many of the activities will be held in the open air, but there will be provision for entertainment and workshops in marquees if the weather turns bad – although so far, for the last three years, the weather has been brilliant.
“The festival organising team aim to provide a low-cost, fun-filled, family-based weekend, packed with opportunities for unique experiences and learning opportunities. The festival offers a safe, inexpensive alternative, which along the way will provide children and their families with loads of happy memories to share for years to come,” he added.
The festival, which is based around a number of activity zones willinclude one for entertainment where the Jodie Leigh Dance School, DJ Disco Daddy, magicians, storytellers, puppeteers, circus skills, singers, dancers and bands as well as Petwise Zoo on the Sunday and the Animal Woman on the Monday will be.
A fun zone will include giant inflatables everywhere, the ‘Xtreme’ trampoline, circus train and rollercoaster slide inflatables, a double bungee run, sumo wrestling, a ‘Gladiator’ duel, the Go-Kart Party with electric cars and face painting – for which there will be a charge – and a climbing wall provided by the Territorial Army for free use.
There will also be an arts zone where the festival is teaming up with the Mark Speight Foundation to provide art and other activities. The foundation is in memory of the former children’s TV presenter and details will soon be posted on the festival website about nationally-known performers who will be coming to the event.
Other activities in the arts zone will include balloon modelling, T-shirt and card and pottery making, Dr Parson’s Crazy Comic Club providing cartoon and comic strip art facilities and ‘Whack-it, Smack’it’ junk music workshops.
Bridgnorth businesses will be in the food zone where the extensive range of cuisine and healthy eating will have everything from burgers through to barbecue food available. There will also be a festival refreshments tent and even candyfloss, as well as ice creams, sweets, crepes and a pig roast.
An under-fives’ zone will have a soft play area with special inflatables, a range of baby and construction toys and games, a reading area and craft games.
Various local organisations will showcase their activities in the community zone where visitors will also be able to meet community police officers, fire and rescue personnel and other emergency services, along with representatives from DCAE Cosford.
The festival is managed and organised through Children’s Festival (Bridgnorth) Ltd., a registered non-profit making charity. Any surplus from the festival is ploughed straight back in future years’ events.
“The organisers are extremely grateful to the local councils, especially Bridgnorth Town Council, for financial and practical support and advice, as well as the many local businesses and individuals who give support and time,” said Mr Gibbons. More about the festival can be found on its website, www.childrens-festival.co.uk
