Maritime theme for West Area festival
It’s all looking shipshape in Sunderland, where an annual festival promises to be the best yet.
Details of the fourth annual West Area community celebration event have been revealed and it will have a maritime flavour with lots of hands-on activities for all the family to enjoy.
Barnes Park will host the festival, which culminates with a day of fun at 10am on Saturday, June 30.
Visitors to the park will enter through the deck of a ship to reflect the theme of a celebration of Sunderland’s history of shipbuilding and looking forward to the city hosting the Tall Ships in July.
There will be pirates and sea shanties in the event, funded by Sunderland City Council’s West Area Committee.
Saturday is the culmination of the three-day celebration involving all the local nursery, primary and junior schools.
Chairman of the West Area Committee, Coun Peter Gibson will welcome children on Thursday and Friday to the first two days before the free family fun day on Saturday, which opens to the public at 10am.
Saturday’s family event includes a full programme of live music from the bandstand, with everything from choirs and singers, to dance, local groups and seven piece bands.
Coun Gibson said: “Our annual community celebration event has become increasingly popular, and I hope this year will be the most successful yet.
“This year’s theme, based around the Tall Ships, has been chosen to inspire children to discover more about our shared maritime, industrial and cultural heritage, and encourage them to develop their own skills and talents.
“There is so much for them to try and take part in. Everything from getting involved in scientific experiments and building a ship, to learning sea shanties, drawing a pirate, meccano sculptures and jumping on trampolines.”
Coun Gibson added: “Everyone visiting this year can also learn more about Sunderland’s amazing history in shipbuilding, with Sunderland Maritime Heritage Society, who are bringing their ship to Barnes Park.”
“On Saturday we open the doors to all the family to enjoy, with a full programme of sports, recreation and leisure activities, live music, food stalls and much, much more, including a fun fair.”
People are being urged to use public transport as no car parking is available at Barnes Park for the event.
“I hope this year will be the most successful yet” PETER GIBSON