Popular Children's Festival KIDSFEST to Return Bigger and Better in 2017

Orb Events and The James Bulger Memorial Trust have announced that KidsFest is back by popular demand for 2017 and is set to be even bigger and better than ever.

The children's festival was first launched in 2015 to honour the short life of James Bulger who was cruelly murdered in 1993 at the age of two.

The James Bulger Memorial Trust, set up in memory of the toddler, to organise holidays and respite breaks for deserving children and their families, decided to organise a free children's festival to give families in Liverpool a fabulous fun day out which marks the end of the school summer holidays and won't break the bank.

The festival was a huge success and has gone from strength to strength each year with over 8,000 visitors attending the event last year at the beautiful Stanley Park in Liverpool.

This year, organisers Denise and Stuart Fergus of James Bulger Memorial Trust are working once again with Orb Events, the company behind successful events such as Liverpool Loves and Farm Feast, to bring the festival back to the park for 2017.

And they have lots of exciting plans up their sleeves to ensure the festival is even better this August, meaning more local families and children will be able to enjoy a free fun day out whilst supporting the James Bulger Memorial Trust.

Guaranteed to be the highlight of the school summer holidays, KidsFest will once again bring an exciting afternoon of free family fun to Stanley Park on Sunday, August 20.

This year there will be a packed programme of entertainment, activities, workshops and attractions to create a fantastic family-friendly event in the heart of North Liverpool.

The children are guaranteed to be entertained all day long with their favourite fairground rides and bouncy castle world! The action continues with the Big Rig - a Royal Marine assault course and giant ball game dart ball (a unique, fun mix of football and darts).

Families are encouraged to get hands on and take part in the activity zone and don't forget to visit the dance arena and do your best mum and dad dancing to embarrass the little ones!

A famous balloon artist is flying all the way from Poland to entertain the children of North Liverpool with his incredible larger than life size balloon sculptures. If you can get the kids off the zip wire, the festival will also be hosting kid's cookery classes, a mini food festival, crafts, yoga, sport, soft play and planting workshops.

New for this year, a full main stage programme of entertainment promises to capture the imagination of every child. The line-up is to be announced but will undoubtedly be a fantastic addition to an already spectacular day.

There will also be a toddler and pre-school area specially designed to keep the most mini festivalgoers amused!

Denise Fergus of James Bulger Memorial Trust said: "We are excited to announce to return of KidsFest for 2017. It is especially poignant today which would have been James' 27th birthday.

"We launched Kidsfest in 2015 in the hopes that it would become a great celebration that would leave a legacy of inspiration and positivity and be a fitting tribute to the short life of James, which was so cruelly taken away from him."

"We have been delighted with the success of the festival so far with over 8,000 people turning up in glorious sunshine to support the event which was held in honour of our son James.

"It was a fantastic day of fun and laughter and the perfect way to bring together families, communities and different cultures together encouraging the feeling of pride and positivity amongst the people of our great city."

Event organiser Debbie Boyd added: "The James Bulger Memorial Trust has achieved lots of amazing things for the city so we are delighted to be working with them again on this fantastic family festival.

"The idea is that it will provide a highlight for the summer holidays, bringing together families and giving them a memorable day of fun in the park."

"This year, the event is designed to promote the health and wellbeing of our mini festivalgoers, encouraging families to live healthier lives whilst having a great time together so come along and join in the fun!"

The festival is free to enter and will provide a whole afternoon of family fun so come along and play all day!

Keep up to date with the charity and announcements for KidsFest at www.forjames.org.

James Bulger Memorial Trust works to benefit and support young people who are disadvantaged by reason of having become a part of bereavement, a victim of crime, hatred or bullying. To reward those who are judged to have shown exemplary conduct, making a positive contribution to the welfare of others, or society in general.

To do so by providing cost-free travel and holiday accommodation for such children and their families; along with a range of other tangible rewards, as deemed appropriate by the Trustees or their appointed representatives, and to support other organisations benefiting children in similar circumstances, as deemed appropriate by the Trustees.

Orb CIC is a value-led, full-service event management company based in Liverpool's emerging creative quarter, the Baltic Triangle. The team have been behind some of the city's largest events including Liverpool Pride, Brazilica and Farm Feast. For more information telephone Orb Events HQ on 0151 707 0965 or visit www.orb-events.co.uk.

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