Strawberry Funday!
Strawberry Fair 2009 shrugged off the early showers and less than enthusiastic weather forecast to turn into a fantastic day out. Kicking off with the arrival of the spectacular Strawberry Nation Parade, the Fair provided entertainment and activities right across Midsummer Common from midday. The committee is very pleased to report that the Fair Play programme was a resounding success with local residents and fair goers, and that the event passed off safely and peacefully.
The parade started the day, with the theme “Strawberry Nation”, with representatives, from Cambridge Caribbean Association, Cambridge University Hispanic Society, the Indian Culture and Community Association, Cambridge Chinese Community, the Geoff Bailey Dancers, Cambridge Lindy Hoppers, Cambridge Community Samba band Arco Iris and many more snaking their way through the city centre to officially open the fair on their arrival at Midsummer Common.
The kids area proved particularly popular, with families taking full advantage of the free activities, from bouncy castles and clowns to hands-on science, cake decorating workshops.
Young performers found their home in the Futures Tent, where over 100 under 18's played to a full house all day. “It's really rewarding to see everyone's work come together and the kids having such an amazing experience” said the stage co-ordinator George Davidson. “Where else is Cambridgeshire can young people play to such a large and genuinely enthusiastic audience?”.
The Arts area featured a new craft tent for local craftspeople, the “Interknit” an ever growing interwoven artwork, and an exhibition by local artist Richard Heeps, alongside the increasingly popular Strawberry Fair film festival.
Musical highlights included Eoin from Hamfatter, fresh from his Dragon's Den success playing a solo set on the acoustic stage. Whilst Wigwam featured an eclectic mix of regional artists including Cambridge busking legends Bijoumiyo, and a range of dub, dance and global groves played on the World stage. Alongside tipis, yurts, healing workshops and information stands the Green area hosted Australian gypsy burlesque pirates Rapscallion. The finale was a rousing set by Rebel Control accompanied by a great light show, on the East Stage.
The organising committee spent many months working closely with the City Council and Police to manage the effect of what has become one of the most popular and well attended events in Cambridgeshire on the local area through the Fair Play strategy. “We spent a lot of time listening to feedback from residents groups and in response, we had: over 25% more toilets and around two and a half kilometres of fencing to prevent fair goers from spilling into the surrounding streets.”
“We're really delighted with the result of the plan we developed and are very grateful to the council and police for their support in implementing it” said Justin Argent, Chair of Strawberry Fair. “The police and council had licensing teams out across the city on the day monitoring alcohol sales and all trains to Cambridge were alcohol free. Sadly, there are always going to be complaints when you run an event the size of Strawberry Fair, but we were able to provide an effective combined response to all issues that were raised with us through our residents hotline”.
Dick Baxter said “The results of the scheme implemented by The Strawberry Fair committee were superb, we are very happy.”
The volunteer organisers now have the task of returning the common to normal, with the litter pick continuing until the middle of the week. Anyone interested in helping with the litter pick should head to Midsummer Common and make themselves known to one of the many volunteers wearing hi-viz tabards.
Finally, the organisers are asking for links to photo galleries of the day and are keen to hear any stories about the event that people would like to share, for possible inclusion in a Strawberry Fair book which is being worked on. If you have photos or a story that you want to tell, please contact .
