With a bouncy castle, pop music, candy floss and the smell of hot dogs in the air there is something for everyone regardless of the weather at 2019 Headington Festival.
The Circus try out area lets children learn skills such as juggling, plate-spinning and unicycle from a clown on stilts. Children can also enjoy face painting, second hand book stalls, competitions to build a tower and awards are given out at the end of the day. Arguably the star attraction for toddlers is the live sheep and baby ewes that can be petted in pens.
Traditional garden fete games such as ‘Pot Luck’, ‘Name the Cuddly Toy’, and ‘Marble Mayhem’ had a queue due to their popularity, and at lunchtime Stagecoach Performing Arts treated us to a rousing outdoor spectacular, in full stage costumes.
Adults are catered for in the ‘Cake and Ale’ tent where couples can sit and
enjoy the moving tones of a live acoustic guitar musician. Charities, Christian
organizations and local pressure groups are on hand to take questions.
The stalls show just how much is available outside the confines of this well-used park. Coming away from the day, there is definitely more to discover in the neighbourhood than I imagined, such as choirs and courses in the area.
In spite of the intermittent rain and grey skies, Headington Festival is a hugely popular event. The day is of course helped by a generous scoop of handmade ice cream.