Picture special as Newbury residents enjoy EasterFest
Happy Easter shoppers took to the streets of Newbury this weekend to experience the town’s EasterFest.
The Wonderland-themed event, organised by the Newbury Business Improvement District (BID), saw Northbrook Street and Bartholomew Street lined with stalls for three days over the long weekend.
Arriving on Friday, April 15, the event attracted visitors from as far afield as Reading and Basingstoke as classic children’s characters, Alice, Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts, delivered musical performances and meet and greets.
They were joined by the Easter Bunny hosting a special story time of tales, which children took advantage of in between a town centre Easter egg hunt.
Street entertainers roamed the town centre while live music lit up a stage in Bartholomew Street.
Alison Drummond, Newbury BID's Operations Manager, said: “We're confident EasterFest delivered a fabulous immersive Easter-experience for visitors that will encourage them to visit Newbury again in the very near future.
"The free arts and crafts delivered by Junk Jodie Recycled Arts and Storytelling were an absolute hit this Easterfest, bringing children and families from across the region together to attend multiple of the themed workshops.
“Jollypop Entertainment provided top-quality children's entertainment as always with their classic characters, which really helped to enhance the overall event experience.”
Jodie Marsh-Hoffman, of Junk Jodie Recycled Art and Storytelling, which offered free arts and crafts over the weekend, said: "Over 200 children joined me with their creative hats on over the weekend, with many families attending all six different craft activities taking place.”
Ian Batho, owner of Cow & Cask micropub, said: “As a business tucked away in one of Newbury’s hidden gems at Inches Yard, we’re delighted to have welcomed so many extra visitors.”
The event was delivered with LSD Promotions, an independent market and event company based in the Midlands.
Kate Izzard, founder of Jollypop, said: “This weekend was amazing, we always love working with Newbury BID.
“We got some great reactions – I was the Queen of Hearts, so it was nice to be a villain for once.
“It was such a great event and we had so many people stop us for photos.
“It’s lovely when people get excited about characters they see less often.
“It was lovely and there was a real fun vibe.”
Local residents and families are reminded that the Easter fun doesn’t stop there, as there is still time to take part in Newbury BID’s Easter Egg Hunt delivered in partnership with Thatcham-based charity, Swings & Smiles.
A range of prizes are up for grabs for participants and trail sheets are available to download online for a £2 donation.
All proceeds go to the co-organisers of the event, Swings & Smiles, and must be returned to the charity or The Ugly Duckling by April 27.
You can purchase your trail sheet and find out more information about the event and Swings & Smiles here: visitnewbury.org.uk/events/newbury-easter-egg-hunt/
