Hurray! This year, Kew Midsummer Fete is back after an enforced two year break. The Fete is very much a part of the local community and helps bring together everyone for a great day out, as well as raising thousands for local charities. We have now raised more than £150,000 since we started in 2010.
Twelve years ago, a group of us decided that we couldn’t let the 250-year-old tradition of a fete on Kew Green die out. So we started planning. Each of us had our role to bring the fete together – booking a Victorian fun fair and the attractions, creating a food court, attracting more than 100 stallholders, finding bands for the live entertainment on stage. And also all the things that visitors probably don’t think about – booking portable loos, making sure Health & Safety requirements are in place, asking St John’s Ambulance to attend and paying a company to take all the rubbish away at the end of the day.
Fabulous stalls
There will be around 90 outside stalls, selling a wonderful range of goodies from paintings to plants, scarves to scones, jewellery to jams and cards to cushions. Inside the marquee there will be a further 25 stalls, full of exquisite original items including furniture, silver jewellery, frames, candles, bags and clothing.
The food court
We have an even wider range of delicacies at the Food Court this year – more than enough to suit every taste, including Caribbean, Moroccan, pizza, crepes, pulled pork, falafel and bratwurst. Drinks will include beer, Pimms and lots of fizz! There will be the traditional tea tent, where you can sit down and relax with a cuppa and a cream cake.
Great attractions
Travelling showman Reuben Bond will once again be setting up his historic fairground rides including his colourful Carousel of gallopers, the Flying Chair-O-Plane for the fearless and the tots’ Merry-Go-Round of vintage vehicles.
Stage stars
There will be all-day entertainment on the stage, with great acts such as PowerJam, Yes Brazil, Little Lore, Richmond Youth Brass Band and Kew Dance Arts.
Dog days
The Dog Show always draws huge crowds and local residents, who are keen to show off their favourite member of the family. There are seven rosette-winning categories: Best Puppy, Best Old Dog, Best Pedigree, Best Cross-Breed, Best Rescue Dog, Best Trick and Dog Most Like Its Owner. The Best In Show will be chosen from those winners. Once again, a celebrity will kindly be judging this year’s winners! Still currently a secret, you’ll find out on the day who will be picking our champions. Entry to each category is £3 and registration is on the day, 12-2.30pm. The show starts at 3pm.
Tug of War
The Tug of War Tournament is a great event to watch, with both children and adults joining in the tugging fun. You can put a team of six together in advance (enter online at kewfete.org) or just turn up on the day.
Calling all local charities
All profits from Kew Midsummer Fete are donated to local charities and more than £150,000 has been shared out since we started in 2010. If you are a local charity and would like to apply for a donation, complete the application form on the website – kewfete.org
An environmentally sustainable Fete
This year we are keen to be as environmentally sustainable as possible. We would love it if you could bring your own reusable drinking bottles and water. Bring a few bags and containers to take your goodies home with you. And travel by foot – new parking restrictions around the green mean there is less space to park, so do walk if you can!
Pippa Duncan
kewfete.org