SLIDESHOW: Sunshine success for St Leonards Festival

Events on the seafront, Kings Road and the main festival site at Warrior Square, attracted huge crowds who enjoyed being entertained in the bright sunshine.

The festival had a 1950’s and circus theme this year and many entered into the spirit by dressing up.

Entertainment included circus performers, in a Big Top Zone; drummers; lindy hoppers; dancers, bands and choirs.

There were performances by Pulse Circus and live circus performers from Hastings Guerrilla Circus, along with clowns, aerial artists, stilt-walkers and face painters. People were able to have a go at circus skills.

On the main stage, community groups, choirs, dancers and bands included Oudolin, Vocal Explosion, Hastings Children’s Choir and Saving Strike.

There were performances from a group of Mayotte dancers visiting from Lille and Kathak Dance from Sujata Banerjee.

The spirit of the 50’s was evoked with sounds from the 12-piece Swing Street Band, Jessie Pie and the Thorne, and The Protagonists, with energetic jive from the Cinque Port Lindy Hoppers.

One of the Festival highlights was a performance by local band Blair, who left the crowd calling for more.

Another top attraction saw two performances of the humorous ‘Roadworks’- a BMX /street dance fusion by Etta Ermini Dance Company. Local BMXers and skateboarders turned up to display their skills on a skate ramp supplied and managed by King Ramps.

Pop-up street circus acts along Kings Road merged with drummers, acrobats, stilt-walkers, dancers and community groups for a parade which started on the seafront and culminated with a drum-off in the gardens.

There were market stalls, community information stands, freshly cooked food and a children’s play area.

Posting on Facebook, Frances Stanley-mckay commented: “Wow! St Leonards was buzzing, crowds at the cafes and on the seafront, packed in the Square and Kings Road was chokablock - Fabulous!”

Another festival-goer commented: “What a brilliant day and great atmosphere.”

There were also positive comments about how clean the festival site was following the event.

St Leonards Festival is produced by 18 Hours Events and Education on behalf of St Leonards Town Team with the Support of Hastings Borough Council and the Foreshore Trust. It is sponsored by Amicus Horizon and others.

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