Easter Wonderland pulls in the crowds
Town centre’s first EasterFest increases footfall over bank holiday
HAPPY Easter shoppers took to the streets of Newbury at the weekend to experience the town’s EasterFest.
The Wonderland-themed event, organised by the Newbury Business Improvement District (BID), saw Northbrook Street and Bartholomew Street lined with stalls for three days over the long bank holiday weekend.
Arriving on Friday, the event attracted visitors from as far afield as Reading and Basingstoke as classic children’s characters Alice, Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts delivered musical performances and meet-andgreets.
They were joined by the Easter Bunny, hosting a special storytime, which children took advantage of between an Easter egg hunt.
Street entertainers also roamed the town centre, while live music lit up a stage in Bartholomew Street.
Newbury BID operations manager Alison Drummond, said: “We’re confident EasterFest delivered a fabulous immersive Easter-experience for visitors that will encourage them to visit Newbury again in the very near future.
“The free arts and crafts delivered by Junk Jodie Recycled Arts and Storytelling were an absolute hit this Easterfest, bringing children and families from across the region together to attend multiple of the themed workshops.
“Jollypop Entertainment provided top-quality children’s entertainment, as always, with their classic characters, which really helped to enhance the overall event experience.”
Jodie Marsh-Hoffman, of Junk Jodie Recycled Art and Storytelling, which offered free arts and crafts over the weekend, said: “Over 200 children joined me with their creative hats on over the weekend, with many families attending all six different craft activities taking place.”
Ian Batho, owner of Cow & Cask micropub, said: “As a business tucked away in one of Newbury’s hidden gems at Inches Yard, we’re delighted to have welcomed so many extra visitors.”
The event was delivered with LSD Promotions, an independent market and event company based in the Midlands.
Keith Atkin, who manages the Newbury market event, said it had gone really well.
“It went very well – the footfall was very good.
“We had no complaints from any of the traders so I’d imagine they all did well.
“We get the footfall in and the shops do benefit. People tend to think: ‘Oh, I’ve never seen that shop before,’ and they pop in.”
Local families are reminded that there is still time to take part in Newbury BID’s Easter Egg Hunt delivered in partnership with Thatcham-based charity Swings & Smiles.
A range of prizes are up for grabs and trail sheets are available to download online for a £2 donation. All proceeds go to Swings & Smiles and must be returned to the charity or The Ugly Duckling by April 27.
Get your trail sheet at visitnewbury.org.uk/events/ newbury-easter-egg-hunt/
We’re confident EasterFest delivered a fabulous immersive Easter-experience for visitors that will encourage them to visit Newbury again in the very near future