Roll up, roll up for free family fun on Exeter Quayside
After the huge success of last year’s Summer at the Quayside, Exeter’s historic quayside area will again be home to a jam-packed programme of fun and quirky activities for all the family. Organised by the Exeter Canal and Quay Trust, free events will be taking place over the school summer holidays until Friday 1 September.
Expect theatre, art, workshops, entertainers, music, poetry, Storytelling, games, circus skills and much more, with everyone welcome and no booking required. The events take place under the Transit Shed, right in front of the Exeter Custom House.
Amongst the many highlights are Clive PiG - aka Mister Storyfella, who is an amazing storyteller, poet, songster and potato juggler. Literature Works have invited him along as part of the Quay Words programme to perform 'Commotion on the Ocean’ – tall stories from across the seven seas, to be taken with a pinch of salt!
Promenade Promotions, better known as Prom Prom are a team of old-fashioned entertainers, who mix up street circus, storytelling, games, puppets, all with a seaside theme. Back by popular demand, they will now doubt be bringing their two greedy seagulls and one very cheeky monkey. Other theatrical treats include Bird Box Theatre with their “exe-citing art and story workshops” and Above Bounds Theatre with the Silly Squirrel Pop-up Show featuring puppets and lots of laughs. And for something completely different, FeatherHeads will be offering 20-minute dance workshops, or the opportunity to have your photo taken with one of their giant featured friends.
Young art lovers will also have plenty to keep them occupied, with several brilliant local organisations providing workshops. These sessions include pop-up pottery fish painting with Helen McCormick Ceramics, botanical print making with Double Elephant Print and willow sun making with Weird Sticks CIC. Everything you make you will be able to take home with you at the end of the session.
There are a few big events towards the end of the summer holidays including The Summer Piazza Party on Wednesday 23 August. For this end of summer bash, we will be taking over the piazza area with circus skills, drum sessions and fabulous stilt walkers. We will also be hosting a series of creative workshops on Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 August when families can help bring to life Exeter’s Whirlwind Giant and all those who dance in his wake. Everyone will then be given the opportunity to became stars of the show and join a procession around the quay.
Alan Williamson, Chair ECQT said; “As part of our commitment to make the quayside an exciting and thriving area for people to visit and enjoy, we put on a series of annual events aimed at both residents and visitors to enjoy. One of our most popular new events last year was Summer at the Quayside and we are delighted to be back with such a dynamic and colourful programme for all the family. With many families experiencing additional financial pressures at the moment, we are pleased to be able to offer all of these events for free. Do spread the word and we look forward to seeing you down on the quayside.”
The full list of activities, dates and timings is available on the website at www.exetercustomhouse.co.uk or keep an eye on the Exeter Custom House social media channels.
