Partying in the park!

Published 15 Jul 2010 09:00 0 Comments

DANCING cray fish, smooching sea horses and mechanical flying fish were in abundance as a family festival embraced a greener way of life.

Environmental issues were at the forefront of the sixth annual Big Day Out in South Hill Park, Ringmead, on Saturday.

This year organisers improved safety by installing a perimeter fence and charging a small entry fee so 4,961 people could enjoy a sun soaked day of live bands, outdoor theatre and global food.

One highlight was the AirQuarium an outdoor deep sea adventure introducing families to sea life.

Creator Danielle Corbishley of Beautiful Creatures stage school said: "It's been amazing, all the kids absolutely love it and have been shouting out each animal. We wanted to build a relationship between land and sea so people are more aware of the environment."

Reading's Global Café added a dash of colour to their marquee with poetry, arts and crafts, and live music before leading a children's crustacean procession around the arena.

Bracknell's Jazz Jammers got everyone dancing as did dubstep group Coda, Balkan gypsy kings the Baghdaddies and jazz band Arun Ghosh.

There was also lantern and bunting making workshops, henna tattoos and facepainting, and Amnesty International and Greenpeace set up stalls.

South Hill Park marketing director Paul Stewart said: "It's been a great family day out. The best part of setting up a festival is seeing local people enjoying themselves. It's made all the hard work worthwhile."

Steven Powell, 25, from Hillberry said: "It's like a little Hyde Park but a smaller version. It's nice to see so many people out and a good mix of things going on."

Jamie Harding from Birch Hill went with her three sons Sol, 12, Dre, nine and Ruby, three. She said: "We could hear it from our back garden and thought if you can't beat them then join them. There's been so much for the boys to do and they've loved the music."

For more photos, see the July 15 edition of the News.

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This article appeared in Villager 15 Jul 10

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