THE LAUNCH event of this year’s Reading Children’s Festival has been hailed a massive success after more than 10,000 people packed Forbury Gardens.
The annual Forbury Fiesta had an Olympic theme and saw children enjoy sport and music workshops, as well as arts and crafts sessions.
Highlights included Sport in Mind’s badminton and archery taster sessions, BETTER’s swimming hats and goggles timed obstacle course and Avanti Cycling CIC’s Dr Bike safety checks, and bicycle obstacle and mini cycle course.
The gala event, held on Saturday, May 11, heralded the start of the two-year festival organised by the council and promises a host of low-cost or free events for people to enjoy.
They include river cruises, kayak tasters, calligraphy sessions, karaoke, and paper plane making.
The success of the initial event has been welcomed by Councillor Adele Barnett-Ward, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Leisure and Culture said “This is the 35th year of Reading Council’s fantastic annual Children’s Festival, but we aren’t resting on our ‘Olympic’ laurels.
“Every year the council’s events team and all the wonderful local organisations who participate strive to make the festival better than the year before, so we are delighted that the sunny weather and fun summer of sport theme made Forbury Fiesta 2024 the most popular yet.
“There are two more weeks of free and low-cost Children’s Festival events left with so much variety that there will be something to appeal to every child: have a look at what’s on and join in the family fun.”
Reading Borough Council’s 2024 Children’s Festival is sponsored by Station Hill.
Alex Aitchison, UK Managing Director for Lincoln, on behalf of the joint venture between Lincoln and MGT which is delivering the Station Hill development, said: “We are delighted to be sponsors of the 2024 Reading Children’s Festival, a key annual event for people living and working in the town, and particularly for younger children and their families. We wish the Festival every success and hope all who participate in it have a fantastic time.
“Station Hill – a mix of residential, retail and office development with two acres of new public realm in the heart of Reading – is our commitment to Reading’s future.
“It seeks to achieve the highest accreditations for environmental standards and is already providing a significant boost to the local economy.
“When complete, Station Hill will create an exceptional environment for the town centre as well as a range of new retail and leisure uses which we hope that everyone visiting, living and working in Reading will be able to enjoy.”
Find out about all of the Children’s Festival events: https://www.reading.gov.uk/leisure/things-to-do/events/reading-childrens-festival-2024/
