Community spirit thrives at Beaufort Street Festival 2015

The Beaufort Street Festival has a knack of arriving on the first extremely hot summers day. This year I planned to hold off going until later in the day/evening but excitement got the better of me, and I was soon venturing up the road during a 39 degree burst from the evironmental furnace.

Beaufort Street Festival begins © The Ponder Room

As usual several shops took their wares out onto the street. Beaufort Street Books excelled with an interactive colouring-in sheet on their window. Even early in the day the sheet was starting to fill up and it was interesting to watch the broad range of people wanting to make their mark.

Beaufort Street Festival © The Ponder Room

Several popup music areas were already setting up, no doubt they’ll go off once the sun sets.

Setting up at Beaufort Street Festival © The Ponder Room

Buskers area Beaufort Street Festival © The Ponder Room

This one called ‘Beat Dice’ looked like it was going to be interesting … music randomly made by placing the dice ‘cubes’ in different configurations.

Beaufort Street Festival © The Ponder Room

Then there were the pop up bars, even in hidden away car parks.

Beaufort Street Festival © The Ponder Room

Beaufort Street Festival © The Ponder Room

I’m always interested in Community Engagement initiatives and this year there was Bloom (amongst others), which was first used during the London Olympics. Members of the public were invited to use the pink pieces to make their own ‘bloom’. Sadly with the heat nudging 40 degrees my brain was struggling to cope with walking let alone being creative, so I had to pass.

Beaufort Street Festival © The Ponder Room

Any thought of food only extended to an ice cream, slushy or icy pole. I’m sure these guys and the other food venders will do well later on, especially if they manage to keep these smiles while working over hot plates … unbelievable.

Beaufort Street Festival © The Ponder Room

Beaufort Street Festival © The Ponder Room

The Herb Cart was another great idea, who wouldn’t want to grow their own corn in a box?

Beaufort Street Festival © The Ponder Room

By this time, I realised  that I’d only covered one third of the festival. I was well and truly in need of a lift … any lift would do.

Beaufort Street Festival © The Ponder Room

All too soon my time was up. On the way out I was pleased to see both animals and kids were being taken care of with hats, bowls and water bottles. But I must admit that this little shell paddling pond was looking very tempting.

Beaufort Street Festival © The Ponder Room

Beaufort Street Festival © The Ponder Room

As the sunsets and the heat goes out of the day I write this pondering…

1. Going early means you miss some of the 160,000 crowd, which makes it much easier to get around, but the intense heat slows you down to a plod.
2. The most popular guy was clearly the one walking around with  free hand fans. Him, the ice cream stalls and any shop that you could dart into for some air conditioned relief.
3. I highly recommend the Festival but suggest you hold off until the evening.

Congrats to the organisers (Beaufort Street Network  I think) for again putting on an excellent street festival, you continue to show Councils how community activation is done. Roll on next year.

For more information go to Beaufort Street Festival