Unexpected sunshine was the magical extra ingredient that drew crowds to a bigger and better TriFest in Riverside Park on Saturday (Aug 14). Read more to see our picture gallery and hear an interview with a TriFest organiser.
Article continues after this message...
Duration: 39 seconds. No audio? Try this link
Locals enjoyed the chance finally to come together, picnic, play, chat, have a drink and enjoy the summer sun in our lovely local park.
Last year the festival was unable to go ahead because of Covid restrictions.
Much hard work was evident from many of the community stall holders, with the months of effort from volunteer organisers clearly paying off.
Music, organised by Stand Up to Racism, provided a back-drop from local acts, rather than completely dominating the village fete-like atmosphere.
And there was much to discover in Cobden Meadows, from vegetable displays, scarecrow-making and photography competitions, to a dog show, children’s games, trader and campaign group stalls - and much more besides.
Speaking during the afternoon, organiser Paul Jenks, pictured right, told bitternepark.info: “I think it’s going about as well as I could have ever hoped. There’s loads of people here in the sunshine enjoying themselves, listening to a bit of music, in the dog show… We’ve got a load of community organisations, a load of local traders, and they’re all doing fine.”
You can hear more from Paul using the audio player above, or here.
‘Hooray that we had sunshine’
Following TriFest Rhia Weston from Bitterne Park Growing Places said: “What a brilliant day! We chatted with so many people about Bitterne Park Growing Places and gave away loads of plants, books, vegetable cakes and home-made cordial. We really want to get more people growing their own food locally, whether in gardens, pots on a balcony, or just herbs on a window sill, so Trifest was a great opportunity to reach more people.”
On our own Facebook page Handmade by Alexa wrote: “Well done to everyone involved, a really successful Trifest, beautiful weather, great atmosphere and good music.”
Sarahjane Selley described it as an “Absolutely fab day”, and Rev Sera Rumble, from St Denys Church, said on Twitter: “Huge thanks for creating a mellow, positive, creative & friendly vibe. And hooray that we had sunshine.”
Tonight's #SaturdaySunset is dedicated to everyone who made today's local festival #Trifest a total success. Huge thanks for creating a mellow, positive, creative & friendly vibe. And hooray that we had sunshine. pic.twitter.com/ByMcCz0ekj
— Rev Sera Rumble (@SeraRumble) August 14, 2021
• As ever, it just isn't possible to include everyone's efforts in our coverage, but hopefully it offers a flavour of the day