Here comes the fun

ANYONE for tennis . . . Wimbledon comes to Oldham

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Every show a winner as Oldhamers bask in festival sunshine

AROUND 20,000 shoppers packed Town Square Shopping Centre this weekend after Festival Oldham gripped families from across the community.

People young and old enjoyed the annual celebration of art and entertainment which began at 12 noon on Saturday.And to kick off the day, the town centre went green with a day of themed events to help launch Bloom and Grow — Oldham’s entry into the North West in Bloom competition.

To keep the young ones entertained, there was an “In the Night Garden” fun storytelling sessions with hand puppets for toddlers.But out in the tropical weather some of the street theatre entertainment included gormless gardener Pete Moss, the giant Victorian flower seller, tennis tantrum on a lush Wimbledon lawn and juicy laughs from the 5-A-Day fruits.
The parks and countryside team were on hand to help green wizards pot plants and grow flowers and live music came from the Courgettes and the Barracudas.

Yesterday, festival organisers packed the day with children’s shows, play activities and fund-raising fun.Louis Pearl, the amazing Bubble man arrived direct from America with his fun science show in the children’s theatre big top on High Street.

And the enchanting Rapunzel and The Tower of Doom puppet show gave the traditional tale a modern day twist.Rachel Wood, arts development officer, said: “It was fabulous with around 20,000 people who packed the centre on both days.

“Families said they saw some of the best street theatre ever, and on Saturday 600 children had face paintings.

“There were 150 performers taking part and every show in the children’s market was a sell out.”