First-time family festival arrives with music, arts and crafts, street food and more
If you go down to the woods on 9 June, you’re sure of many big surprises, when Rumpus arrives for a day of fun and frolics in the Cambridgeshire countryside. The family-friendly sister event to the Wild Wood Disco, Rumpus will see this green and glorious site come alive with music and magic. The event is promising surprises and wonder around every corner, from live bands to woodland crafts, storytellers to spellbinding art. It takes place at the Horseheath Racecourse over in Linton, aka the Wild Wood, kicking off at 11am and offering something for the whole family.
Delighting ears old and young will be the brilliant Brass Funkeys, a good-time brass band known for their lively covers of classic tunes. They’re joined on the music bill by top local acts including SJ and The Flying Pigs, Tiger Blue and Fruity Clave – a Brazilian samba band. If your little ones love a dance and stomp about, make a beeline for the bubble disco – surely the stuff of under-fives’ dreams – which will take place on the woodland stage and feature all their favourite teeny-bop hits. Be sure to swing by the face painting and glitter stations beforehand to help you really strut your stuff!
In the mood for something a little quieter? Local bookshop Heffers will be running a series of activities for little book lovers. Step inside the magical literary tipi for stories, poetry and workshops with the likes of cartoonist Glenn Dakin; Foxcraft writer Inbali Iserles; and Katherine Mann and Laura Robson Brown, creators of the wildly popular Fitz and Will, the Cambridge Cats books. Students from Anglia Ruskin’s children’s illustration course will be there, too, leading the creation of a giant mural which everyone can contribute to.
There’s also den building and foraging with W.I.L.D. to seek out the chance to meet the fairy king and queen, make some art from nature and create dream catchers, wild wands, bird feeders and more at the Wildings Craft School.
Don’t miss out on the Woodland Procession, filled with colour, costumes and music, and if you scramble deeper still through the thicket of branches into the woodland, a Mad Hatter’s tea party awaits you…
Parents will be pleased to hear that the food and drinks offering sings with crowd-pleasers for all ages, from gourmet mac and cheese to tacos, brownies and gelato. Plus there are cocktails to enjoy. Rounding things off at 8pm, in their own, hands-in-the-air style, the Early Night Club will be playing top tunes until close at 9.30pm.
“We are so excited that we have such a great line-up. Everyone has been so enthusiastic about the concept of Wild Wood Rumpus – inspired by a desire to get back to nature, away from screens and have some fresh air and fun!” commented Alex Ruczaj from the festival team. “Adding in the local writers to tell stories, with the arts, crafts and eco activities, such as the stunning Land Art For Kids team who create truly beautiful sculptures and art from nature, there will be plenty to entertain all ages. We think this will make for the perfect small festival for the whole family to enjoy, and we can hardly wait for the ninth.” l
Tickets are currently available at £65 per family of four, £20 per adult, and £15 per child.
thewildwoodrumpus.com
