Innocent Smoothies village fete-would you recommend it?

[parachutes]

Hi, am thinking of going with 5yr old ds and some friends this year (children aged 2-35) and wondered if anyone had been and whether it was worth a go?

Thanks

Yes went last year and it was lovely. Especially good with kids. We had a friend's kid's 2nd birthday party there and all had a picnic. Very family friendly vibe. Funfair, cool arty stalls, nice food. When is it this year? Might go again myself.

I think sophable went last year - if she is on later she might tell you more

if there was one local to us we would certainly go.

We took our 5 yr old last year. It was good fun but it got very crowded as the day went on so I'd advise an early start. There was a mixture of free children's entertainments and a lot of fairground rides where you had to pay. There is more info here www.innocentvillagefete.com/ourlondonfete.php

No, we went last year to the one in Regents Park. It was hideously overcrowded, long queues for everything (rides, food etc) which is not much fun with small children. I thought maybe the organisers were taken by surprise by the amount of interest, but found out afterwards from a friend that they'd found the same problems the year before. A nice idea, but it didn't work for us.

I would recommend these "Country Affair" days out if there's one near you: www.claphamcommonshow.com/ Similar sort of thing but not so crowded.

I'd probably go unless it was very sunny, because then everyone goes. Dry but grey skies, it should be lovely!

I went last year with DS 3.5 and DD 1, and had a great time. Definately recommend you go earlier in the day - it got much busier as the day progressed. I would recommend taking buggies even for older children because the walk back to the tube at the end of the day was very tiring for the kids. We will go again this year.

It doesn't start until 11am though (we've all been up for hours by then in my house!). Would you recommend taking a picnic or were the queues for food not too bad? It's spread over 2 days this year so may not be as crowded.

lolol at the idea of sponsored 'village fete'

why not drive out to the coutnryside and go to a real one?

Am with Enid on this one and Innocent are far from "innocent" at all......

it is good fun...but extremely crowded. Last year was the first time it was ticketed rather than a free for all, but still it was very, very, very busy. Queues for food not too bad as there is lots of choice (all the more gourmet festi options) but the queues for the loos are awful! One bonus is you do come away with lots of freebies!

Its a good day out though and if you get there and find it all too much you can just have a glorious day in beautiful Regents Park instead

btw, the vibe is more a one day festival than trad village fete!

gourmet food
cool arty stalls

ok people dont get excited this is NOT a 'village fete'

ROFL At londoners generally

Message withdrawn

I don't want to go to a 'real' village fete where everyone knows everyone and the atmosphere is non-existent. A one day festival vibe is what I'm hoping for.

Besides I live in London and want to go to a LOCAL festival, with decent music and food! If I wanted to live in the country and attend country fetes, I'd sell my 3 bed terrace house and buy a (relative) mansion there.

Message withdrawn

buy a mansion

lolol

Message withdrawn

Strawberry Fair at Cambridge is much less crowded and a lot more fun imo.

Only go if you are ready for crowds tbh, although marginally better last year as has been said.

It's fun otherwise though...

stop making fun of me please
though I deserve it as I only moved into the country last year and am now heading back into London for the "village fete"

rofl

if you want a similar vibe, with free icecream the ben and jerry's sundae on Clapham Common is also excellent. Much smaller(so good for very little ones), but with bands, nice food and festi vibe.

its at the end of july i think