This Sunday, 21 July, local family support charity, Purple Elephant, will celebrate being 10 years old by opening the, now almost legendary, Frome Children’s Festival – and everyone is welcome!
Originally delivered by Young People Frome together with Purple Elephant co-founders Rachel Griffin and Sue Willis, and with a decade of fun under their belts, they are delighted to say that entry to this joyful all-day event remains free to all.
As Purple Elephant Service Manager and festival founder Sue Willis explains, “We want to celebrate childhood and that should be easy for the whole family. As well as being as accessible as we can make it, we also don’t allow selling of merchandise onsite, so parents can relax without worrying about having to grab their wallets in these already very challenging times.
“Families can just turn up or they can book in advance and offer a kind donation to the charity, but the most important thing is just to be there and have fun!”
On Sunday around 3,000 people will enjoy over 40 activities and entertainment. Frome Town Council will be bringing a tiny house clay-modelling area and The Pod will be onsite with scrapstore creative crafting. There will be a fairy trail and den-building and Green and Healthy Frome are running an art materials free giveaway!
Other delights will include Wild Words theatre, hand and face art from The Glitter Temple and puppet fun from The Magic Storybox. There will be music workshops for pre-schoolers, and older children and young people can play and record in Frome’s professional music studio. There is even an option to join a Silent Disco in the evening after the main festival has finished.
There will be yoga for all, skittles, martial arts, the chance to take part in a ‘Circus Aerial Silks’ class, BMX workshops on the pump track and two zipwires offering rides right across the river! Along with giant outdoor games such as Jenga and Connect Four and a wealth of other activities, there will also be a gentle and unique opportunity to meet real, live rescue owls with the Owl Enlightenment team who describe these extraordinary creatures as “motivational, education and therapeutic.”
Another first-time visitor is circus skills teacher and Aerialist, Solomon Bain. Using silk fabric in a rig-based workshop, Solomon explains he is “Passionate about sharing my love of the art form, and hopefully helping people get stronger and more confident in their bodies.
The team behind this popular charity can also offer support workers on site, fast-pass assistance to children with additional needs and an adapted zipwire harnesses to ensure the day is as accessible and inclusive as possible.
For full details, a map of where each activity is taking place, or to book ahead and donate, please go to the company’s website. If you have questions, including access or support and needs, please get in touch via email.
Full information at www.PurpleElephant.org.uk