Saturday 2nd September was Youthtastic’s 4th annual free fun day in Vulcan’s Park in Workington. Every year we attract around 3,000 people throughout the day coming to try new activities, listen to local young bands and find out what youth projects and information sources there are for young people in Workington. And every year we are so lucky with the weather – the morning clouds usually drift away to uncover glorious sunshine; the crowds usually wear t-shirts and dance (or mosh I think the term is) to the music; the grass is usually green; the birds usually sing; butterflies land playfully on small children’s hands (think I’m over doing it now!)….but not this year! It rained, and it rained, and it rained!
At 7.30am, the heavens opened. The Youthtastic team and myself, Hayley McKay were frantically re-planning the site layout as the lorries arrived. We had visions of having to arrange a tractor to tow the double decker music bus out of the sludgy grass at the end of the day! But, panic over, we had a new plan. By 9am the marquees were standing and people from Connexions, Prince’s Trust, Straightline and Workington Children’s Centre (to name only a few) came and set up their stands. By 10am, the rides were up and running and teenagers who didn’t care about the rain, started to come and see what was going on.
So, was it a complete disaster? No, not at all. There was still around 500 young people who came and enjoyed themselves. The break dance group from Newcastle were fantastic and had people in the crowd trying to beatbox over the microphone. Youthtastic had lots of people signing up for membership, lots of people signing up to get involved in an arts project, and the Asteroid funfair ride didn’t stop all day. The information marquee was busy and the majority of people leaving the park had had their face painted. Youthtastic members worked so hard to organise the day, and now realise the weather is the only thing you can’t order in advance. But, because of their brilliant organisational skills and enthusiasm, and despite the rain, the day was still a success!
