Party in the Park 2009

This years Party in the Park which included Seeds of the East was a bit of a let down for me, there was just too much going on. Let me explain, we had the Skyride, Urbanathlon, Party in the Party which included Seeds of the East. I struggled to get near Philips Park because all roads were blocked off to make way for the Skyride. The Skyride should have been a seperate event on another day because of the sheer numbers involved and the need to block roads, and I think it overshadowed the other events.

Right thats my moaning out of the way, back to Party in the Park (Seeds of the East), which will be the main event I am going to concentrate on. Putting aside the fact that attendance seemed lower than last year, it was pretty much the same layout. Some of the attractions and stalls were a bit spread out and thin on the ground, I noticed a few familiar faces missing from this years event. The Seeds of the East which is about growing your own food, eating healthy, there was lots for youngsters to do. Best for me was the BBC Breathing Places stall, a fun area with lots of exciting ideas, freebies, creative things for youngsters to do. Entertainment came in the form of Jelly (Puppet) from CBeebies, we had storytelling, bird boxes and even insects were catered for where you could buld a little home for them aaahh. How many mums cringed at the very idea of bringing the little beasties into the house, still a lot of fun. I used to have a caterpillar in a little box when I was a lot younger and a ant farm.

While walking round many of you may have noticed some strange creatures wandering about the park, these were from the Strolling Theatre, did anyone one see the mountain gorillas being very nosey, or the little goblin who appeared to frighten the very small children, or the 2 wanderers from Oblivia with massive packpacks on which appeared to have everything but the kitchen sink in them.

I saw a clock made from recycled materials, and do you know what it worked as well, Arts and Craft stall, Kite making from Zest, Face Painting is always a popular one, and if you got thirsty you could get a drink well sort of, you had to pedal the smoothie bike before you could quench your thirst with a fruit smoothie. You could make your own hat or decorate plants pots to put seeds in, also lots help with growing or planting your vegetables. If that was not enough there was puppet shows, circus skills and vegatable obstacle course with Commando Joe, did anyone feel like a right turnip?

AllFM again compered precedings and brought live music to the event, I only got to see the Kings, who I thought were very good. I especially liked the special effects from the smoke machine combined with the music, most enjoyable, took me back to the punk rock days.

Essential sevices were all in atendance as well like the Police, PCSO's, Fire Service, St John Ambulance etc and not forgetting food was available.

I should also mention other stalls that were there, I visited the Marie Stopes International stall, lots of goodies based around sexual health and reproduction, and nearby was the Fresh sexual health stall for under 25's. It is important that organisations like these are invited to events like this, and especially with so much bad press about young teenage mums and dads. Perhaps an opportunity was missed by not inviting a stall that raises alcohol awareness. Others I should give a mention about are the East Manchester Over 50's Forum and Mediation Services who liase between neighbourly disputes, and the Arts class from the Grange who had a gallery of their work on display.

You may notice I have not mentioned things like climbing walls or funfair and this is deliberate, I am going back to some negativity again. The feedback from the public who attended the event was that prices were far too high up to £4 being charged, while most things were free this had a major impact on purse strings for mums. So take note Manchester City Council when planning events in areas of regeneration and low income.

More photos of Party in the Park 2009 can be found in the Gallery