Hoole May day festival preview

Running from 11 until 5 , the event will feature live music, craft and food stalls and guest appearances from Chester the Cat and Brio Bear. There will be a children’s art competition “Cool Hoole”  to be judged by local celebrity, actor Ian Puleston-Davies.  Dee106.3 and the team from Flipside radio will also be in attendance.

Co organiser Sue Mason of “Notting Hoole” said that following the “best newcomer” win  from the High Street awards, a number of community meetings took place to decide how to spend the £5000 award. She says that “many ideas were put forward” requiring a lot of research into costings and feasibility. With so many options on the table and work needed before a decision could be made, Notting Hoole decided to use their own funds to host a street festival. “It was something we could crack on with and something for the community to look forward to”. Hoole has hosted smaller scale events at the community centre in the past, but the Street festival, on a larger scale, aims to make a big statement and celebrate Hoole’s success last year.

The community volunteers have been planning the event since January and have liased closely with Cwac to complete the paperwork for the road closure , as well as a risk assessment and event plan. Sue says that the team have worked with Daulby Read Insurers to provide insurance for themselves and the stall holders.  Support has also come from James Kirby of “We Do Leaflets” who have designed leaflets and bags for life, which have been sold by the Hoole businesses in support of the event.

The running order for musical acts on the day is as follows:

11.00 Karamba Samba Parade
11.30 House of Dance
12.00 Chester the Cat arrives from Dee 106.3
12.00 Swing dancers
12.15 Dead Pixels
13.20 House of Dance
13.40 Chester the Cat says hello…
13.50 Karamba Samba
14.00 Brio Bear Arrives
14.00 Pair of Brogues
14.50 Karamba Samba
15.00 Dan Pearce
15.55 Winner of art competition announced
16.00 The Roddai

Sue says that the team are “really looking forward to the community coming together and having fun. A lot of the businesses will be open on the day, and there’s hot and cold food which will be at the top of Faulkner street for all the food fans. Art lovers will enjoy the many local artists who will be displaying their work along the street, and we are all looking forward to the craft, homeware and vintage clothes stalls in Charles Street.”  A craft zone will be located on the corner of Westminster road where young artists can practice various art skills. With face painting, art and craft, music, foods stalls , entertainment as well as a visit from the Deva Tuk Tuk, the event offers something for the whole family. “We’re just keeping out fingers crossed for some nice weather!” Co-organiser Mark Williams who will be stewarding on the day is excited about the event :