THOUSANDS of people turned out yesterday for the annual Bournemouth Family Fun Festival.
Children and young people of all ages turned out with their families and friends to enjoy a whole host of activities for free in the sunshine.
From football skills and breakdancing to go-karts and face painting, Meyrick Park was filled to the brim with fun, entertainment and games.
TAKE THE BISCUIT: Clare Rockett, from Hotel du Vin, with some of the children who had fun decorating gingerbread men
Julian Sandy, Bournemouth Council community engagement officer, headed the event, which was created in partnership with Crumbs Café, Westbourne Rotary Club and Bournemouth YMCA.
He said: “It’s a Bournemouth information day and a youth festival. This is about front line services, charities and local businesses all promoting children’s right to play.”
He added: “We‘re here to prove there really is something for everyone.”
Every stall came from a Bournemouth company and each had to provide something for free.
With over 130 stalls, there was plenty of variety provided to try something new. There was a pull-along train ride, bouncy castles, workshops with Fire Radio DJs, dancing in the main arena and fossil hunting from the National Trust.
Stella Mavris, founder of Dance4All, which features street dance classes across Dorset, was teaching street and breakdancing.
VROOM, VROOM: Karesha Ormerod-Taylor and Mija Stocker enjoy the go-karts
She said: “We run classes for five-year-olds to adults. We’ve tried to open breakdancing so everyone can take part. We found that, particularly, boys get into it, but the whole dance style has taken off since Diversity won Britain’s Got Talent.”
She added: “It’s a platform for young people to perform. Not everyone is academic, so this is something else people can be good at. It’s great for people to be here and watch others perform.”
Father of two, Stuart Pilkington-Way, said: “It’s really good today. We got the bus down, walked in and there are so many stalls. We’ve been to events at King’s Park nearby and we saw this family festival advertised and thought we’d give it a go. There is lots to do.”
This article is reproduced courtesy of the Bournemouth Echo.
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