Festival attracts hundreds
A MULTI-CULTURAL extravaganza saw hundreds of Teessiders gather in a popular park this weekend.
The Eid Fusion Festival took over Stockton’s Ropner Park as live entertainment, food stalls, craft areas and fairground attractions made it a weekend of fun in the sun.
Families flocked to the Stockton park with picnics and deck chairs to make the most of the warm afternoon weather. The festival, organised by voluntary group Friends of Ropner Park and the Community Welfare Trust (CWT), coincides with Eid al-Adha, a religious celebration in the Islamic calendar which fell earlier in July.
Sahida Ditta, site manager and one of the organisers, said: “The festival’s gone really well overall – we’ve had so many people through the gates and a lot of people have been able to enjoy the lovely weather we’re having.
“Lots of families have brought picnics with them and made a day of it and it seems the live music has gone down really well too. It’s been a great celebration of the diverse communities that we have in Stockton, and a really successful afternoon overall.”
Families were able to enjoy multicultural art in the craft area, from making Mandala patterns to colouring in, and some even getting henna designs on their arms. The marquees featured multiple different stalls – from local charities and organisations in Stockton as well as stalls selling Asian clothing and accessories.
Elsewhere in the park, people sat in the shade and enjoyed the entertainment live from the bandstand.
Festival-goer Val Kerr said: “We’ve loved watching the bands and it’s been great to be able to sit in the shade to keep cool. We love ’60s music so it’s been lovely to have a singalong and see people up dancing to their favourite songs.”
Catherine Roberts, another festival-goer, who visited with son Felix, said: “We found a perfect spot down here during the Jubilee celebrations so we thought we’d try our luck again in the same shady spot. We’re really close to the bandstand so we’ve been able to enjoy the bands, and the crafts are great for the children.”
One of the largest stalls was that of Friends of Ropner Park, who had helped organise the whole event. They have been planning the event since January alongside CWT and set up their stall with a tombola, raffle, mini hook-a-duck and other interactive activities.
Food stalls lined the path towards the bandstand, with a number of local vendors including Middlesbrough’s Fork in The Road and Pie Jackers taking part.