The Extraordinary Festival Fair tops off an extraordinary summer
6 September 2012
The Extraordinary Festival Fair saw members of the local community and groups from across the Centre come together to celebrate an extraordinary summer in East London.
Throughout the summer local families have attended a number of free Carnival workshops creating fabulous flags, scales and peacock feathers. These brightly coloured masterpieces were unveiled in the Extraordinary Festival Fair parade. The parade, with contributions from ArtEast and Bow Arts, signalled the beginning of the fair as local children and adults wound their way through Bromley by Bow complete with a fish over six feet in height and length created by Old Palace School pupils!
The carnival atmosphere didn't stop there as a brass band played live music throughout the afternoon, stilt walkers entertained the crowds and the Bromley by Bow choir performed the specially commissioned "Bromley by Bow Anthem" inspired by lo
cal peoples' memories and observations.
The Fair celebrated the diversity of the local community with members of the Time Bank cookery classes selling some of their favourite traditional dishes from countries including; Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Ethiopia.
The skills of the Time Bank members don't stop at cookery as they hosted free activities including Origami, craft workshops with waste materials and an instant-photo booth with funny props for everyone at the Fair to enjoy.
Not even the sudden heavy downpour could dampen the community spirit!
"And don't you know, that if you get down or you're feeling low, we can lend you a smile, we can put on a show, come sun or come snow in Bromley by Bow" Lyrics from the Bromley by Bow Anthem
