This year we are celebrating our 10th anniversary of Kew Midsummer Fete. In 2010 a group of locals 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 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.
We were ecstatic when so many people turned up on our first day. And, all these years later, we are still overwhelmed and so grateful that so many thousands come – not just from Kew and Richmond, but from across London – for a great day out.
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, from pizza to paella, pulled pork to Pimms. There will be the traditional tea tent, where you can sit down and relax with a cuppa and a cream cake. Or there will be plenty of beer on tap with the ever-popular Fuller’s bar.
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, the tots’ Merry-Go-Round of vintage vehicles and the high-in-the-sky Old-Time Wheel. Aspiring and seasoned footballers can take aim at the very popular ‘Beat the Goalie’ run by local club, Kew Park Rangers.
Stage stars
There will be all-day entertainment on the stage, with great acts such as Buddy Flame and the Rockets, Kew Dance Arts, Rock Choir and Q2 Players, to name just a few.
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.
Great raffle prizes
We have some amazing raffle prizes, including a Sonos Playbar, theatre tickets, vouchers for local restaurants, a one night stay in a Fuller’s pub/hotel, a photography session and much more. Tickets will be on sale on the day but you can buy them beforehand at shops around Kew Parade. Thank you to all the amazing local businesses which have donated prizes.
Calling all local charities
All profits from Kew Midsummer Fete are donated to local charities and more than £130,000 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 (which can be downloaded from the website) and return it by 6 June.
Find out more at kewfete.org
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