The 2017 Bradley Stoke Community Festival got under way today (Friday 9th June) with the traditional Picnic in the Park, at which children were entertained in the Big Top by Professor Panic and took part in fun activities organised by the Friends of Jubilee Green.
Saturday (10th June) sees a packed programme of music and dance events at the Jubilee Centre playing fields, with the action starting at 11.30am and running through to 6pm.
Musical entertainment on Saturday begins with the BSCS students at 11.30am – followed by Gecko Blasters, Uncle Buck, Dockside, Nuttyness (Madness tribute), South Glos Jazz Band and Atlantic.
Dance and gymnastic groups performing in between the bands this year include Yasmin’s Dance, Bradley Stoke Gymnastics Club, the South Gloucestershire Asian project dancers, Stoke Gifford Dance, Kirsty Husher Dance and Stagecoach.
Over on Jubilee Green, there will be demonstrations from the Scouts’ marching band, GKR Karate, South West Winterguard Academy, Easy Dance Popstars, St Mary’s RFC, PT Boot Camp and Dragon Tang Soo Do, along with pro rider demonstrations on the King Ramps half-pipe.
Fun rides and attractions for the children include trampolines, giant slides, football games, giant inflatables, a helter skelter and the Vertical Xtreme climbing wall, alongside the local Scouts providing longbow archery.
To mark its 25th anniversary, the town council has sponsored a community area with several rides including Wipe Out, Bungee Run and Surf Simulator on which the adults will be able to join in with the children! These attractions will be free of charge, with the option of making a donation to the mayor’s charities.
Another special 25th anniversary feature is the ‘Bradley Stoke Bazaar’, which is a large marquee holding a wide selection of stalls featuring arts and crafts, gifts and handicrafts as well as a cartoonist and face painters.
The Bradley Stoke Youth FC football tournament for Year 1 children, with 14 schools taking part, starts at 12pm on the top soccer pitches (prizegiving at 3pm).
Sunday (11th June) kicks off with the Bradley Stoke 10k Run at 9.30am (from the Jubilee Centre). Use our interactive map of the race route to find out where and when to cheer the runners along.
Sunday’s events at Baileys Court Activity Centre include an outdoor church service, starting at 10.30am, followed by an under-11s kwik cricket tournament between 1pm and 5pm. There will also be a BBQ, stalls and evening entertainment in the clubhouse. Bradley Stoke Bowls Club will provide roll up demonstrations throughout the afternoon
A skate park competition with circus skills and other entertainment will take place from 1pm to 5.30pm at the new skate park alongside Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre. Further details can be found on the Bradley Stoke Skatepark page on Facebook.
Photo: Picnic in the Park on Friday 9th June 2017
More info and full programme: 2017 Community Festival (The Journal)
See also: Map of the festival venues (The Journal)
