The Green Parent
Raising kids with conscience
18 May 2010
Family Festivals
Festivals have come a long way from their hippy roots but they are still a great way to cut loose from the stresses of modern life and join a likeminded community in celebration of the good things. Here we choose our favourite family friendly events taking place during the summer of 2010.
SUNRISE CELEBRATION
WHEN: 3-6th June WHERE: Bruton, Somerset WHAT: Renowned for their unique family vibe, the Sunrise arenas provide a buzzing blend of the best in festival culture, alongside new and exciting ideas never before seen in a field. Listen to inspiring talks and participate in diverse workshops. Experience ancient wisdom alongside new and emergent ideas. Run, play and frolick freely in the fields. Learn new eco-warrior or spiritual warrior skills. Cavort with carnival craziness til you drop or dance with your body and soul til the morning light… and beyond! Sunrise Kids area will be reaching an all time high in 2010 with the introduction of loads of new content for kids of all ages. We take pride in our unique family vibe, and so this year we’ve made sure we’ve something to offer the whole family. From birth and toddlers through to teens, the festival is designed with families in mind. Explore the latest addition, the Birth Art dome COST: adult £105, child (15 and under) £25 CONTACT: 0845 108 0259 sunrisecelebration.com
GREEN MAN FESTIVAL
WHEN: 20-22 August WHERE: Glanusk Park, Usk Valley, Wales. WHAT: Festival goers will have a chance to explore Einstein’s Garden, which will introduce thought provoking green issues in a fun, informative way, and Little Folk, a large children’s area with workshops and entertainment. As well as the music there will be art installations, literature and film tents, Welsh poetry, art and music, ceilidhs, poetry, theatre, science, comedy, a Nature and Nurture massage area, a daily dusk till dawn bonfire, impromptu jamming sessions, and food stalls offering a wide range of cuisine most of which is locally sourced and organic. The children’s area is set in the Victorian walled garden and activities include story-telling, arts and crafts, comedy and clowning, a green man children’s parade, film making workshops and a chance to have your own animation shown in the film tent. COST: £120 adult, child (12 and under) free CONTACT: thegreenmanfestival.co.uk
LARMER TREE FESTIVAL
WHEN: 14-18 July WHERE: lush Victorian gardens on Wiltshire/ Dorset border. WHAT: Established nearly 20 years ago, this small festival showcases music from over 80 diverse artists on 6 stages, provides 150 free workshops along with street theatre, a huge carnival procession and was voted Best UK Family Festival year. This year expect spectacular street theatre with intriguing installations, sensational shows, wacky walkabouts and everything else in between, popping up where you least expect around the festival. Lostwood returns for a second year with storytelling and spoken word for all ages to be enchanted by, plus there’s a plethora of new workshops and old favourites, for all to get stuck in to. COST: adult £184, child (under 10) £124 CONTACT: 01725 552300 larmertreefestival.co.uk
FESTIVAL TIPS:
Avoid buying overpackaged goods and individual portion packs.
Buy durable products, such as returnable bottles and refillable containers.
Buy fair-trade and organic food, drinks and products at stalls wherever possible.
Use re-sealable containers to keep your food fresh (this reduces the amount of plastic film and aluminum foil you have to throw away)
Recycle what you cannot take home and reuse.
Say no to plastic bags if offered by market vendors. Bring your own re-useable cloth bag to use instead.
Use public transport, and shuttle bus services if possible, or look for a lift through the increasingly popular car share schemes.
Use only natural and phosphate free shampoo and soap in the site showers and remember to only indulge in a short shower!
Live by the ‘Leave No Trace’ philosophy – take only photos, leave only footprints.
Melissa Corkhill is the editor of The Green Parent magazine, mother of two and author of the book Green Parenting
The Green Parent is the UK's leading green lifestyle and natural parenting magazine. A truly inspiring read, TGP is like nothing else on the newsstand, with insightful intelligent journalism covering topics from babywearing and attachment parenting to home-education and alternative medicine. Each issue features regular columns on Organic Gardening, Seasonal Food and Drink, Green Travel, Ethical Fashion and lots more.
3 comments in response to this article
I just recently discovered this festival: www.harvestatjimmys.co.uk which has lots of brilliant entertainment specifically for the kids.
Yay - thanks Lorraine - this sounds like a lot of fun. Anyone else have a favourite festival that they’d like to recommend to other GP readers?
There’s nothing quite like Glastonbury, every time! You can guarantee there’s something for everyone regardless of age or taste or what time they are awake from and to. And the comfort of the “superfence” reassures us that there’s no way our kids are ever likely to escape!!! The fact that despite the high ticket price, we go from Wednesday to Tuesday (when you can drive your car onsite to collect your gear) so for the price of 2 adult tickets we get a week’s family holiday in the summer, which is excellent value I’d say!
And this year, where else could you get to see a preview of Toy Story 3 a whole month early no less :oD
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