Creative children and young people from across the region are invited to Thurcroft Rec later this month for a free interactive festival celebrating the arts and sustainability.
As part of Rotherham becoming the world’s first Children’s Capital of Culture in 2025, Rotherham ROAR, in partnership with Thurcroft Creatives, will host the first ever Troll Fest, an arts extravaganza and free event for children and young people on Saturday 25 June, 12-4pm.
The creative festival will celebrate all things nature with art, crafts, music, and dance, with a focus on environmental awareness and sustainability. The main festival takes place in the beautiful green Thurcroft Rec, where there will be a full programme of free events and activities for everyone to enjoy, where creativity and imagination are encouraged.
To kick off the event, there will be a mini procession around the park, with the parade’s larger-than-life giant puppet leading the way. As well as the parade, the festival will feature free creative workshops with local artists, a main stage with live music, entertainment, poetry and food.
Matt Butt from ROAR said: “We can’t wait to welcome people to Rotherham’s first ever Troll Fest, a fantastic celebration of creativity and art in the natural world with amazing performances, creative workshops and food and drink stalls. It promises to be a fun family afternoon out, and is something really new and different for the people of Rotherham to enjoy.
“The celebration has started already, as we’re hosting over 50 free, artist-led creative workshops in Thurcroft as a lead up to Troll Fest in June. The workshops are for all ages and are a great chance to be creative, have fun and learn new skills, making giant troll puppets using upcycled materials, printing, painting, sculpture, dancing, and writing. Come along and get involved!”
As part of Troll Fest, many of Rotherham’s talented artists and performers, including internationally-exhibiting artist/designer Morwenna Catt, who specialises in textiles and sculptural fabrics, Patrick Amber, Neath Champion-Shorr, Jennifer Booth, Phillip Padfield, Aralia Studios, Dead Earnest Theatre Company, Deborah Frith, Uzma Rani, Teresa Sayner, Rotherham Drummers United, Sylwia Anna Drwal, Craig Vegas, Chris Bilton, Greentop Circus and Travelling Shadow Theatre, will host creative workshops, performances, installations and other creative activities themed around nature, climate change, and the environment.
In the lead-up to Rotherham becoming the world’s first Children’s Capital of Culture, creative venues and organisations in and around the town are hosting an increase programme of events and experiences this year. Alongside the creative events programme, local young people are also being offered life-changing skills development and training in the creative and cultural sectors, funded by the UK Community Renewal Fund.
Visit www.rotherhamroar.com for more information. This opportunity is funded by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and distributed through Children’s Capital of Culture, managed by ROAR and delivered in partnership with Thurcroft Creatives.