Great day’s entertainment had at ‘Waterside Together’ Festival

The ‘Waterside Together’ Festival kicked off on Saturday with a fantastic afternoon’s entertainment as Woodburn Urban Park was turned into a sea of colour, festive frolics and superb street performances led by the ‘In Your Space Circus’ which included the majestic talents of Jitterbug Jackson among others.

Despite heavy downpours before the start of Saturday’s event, organisers were delighted with the turnout as families from right across the city and district turned up, along with the Deputy Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Niree McMorris, to enjoy not only the numerous events, performances and workshops but also a free Notorious Meal as well as free Honey Bear Ice Cream.

The event was organised by the Waterside Neighbourhood Partnership under ‘Waterside Together’ and the project was supported by PEACEPLUS (a programme managed by the Special EU programmes Body – SEUPB) and supported also by Derry City and Strabane District Council.

‘Waterside Together’ is a shared spaces event and festival project aiming to reanimate spaces that are perceived as belong to the ‘other community,’ transforming them into areas that are open, welcoming and safe for all the Waterside community.

Saturday’s spectacular also had a pop-up active play event by Donegal Sports Partnership, storytelling under the trees with the lovely Marianne McShane of the Armstrong Storytelling Trust, as well as foraging tours around the area with Keeper of the Ways Claire Thompson. Add to the mix drumming workshops, face painting, comedy, music and stilt walking acts and you had four hours of continuous entertainment.

Speaking after Saturday’s event, Project Coordinator Tansy Cowley said she was delighted with the Mini Festival, and somewhat relieved the weather turned for the better in the end!

"One thing we can’t control is the weather but thankfully the sun shone eventually! It was so inspiring to see the positive response from local residents to the approach we took.  It has been a privilege to put this festival on and work with members of the Protestant, Catholic, and BAME communities.

IN PICTURES: Local families enjoy fun and frolics at 'Waterside Together' Mini Festival

"The week's activities are not just about events but about neighbours becoming collaborators, strangers becoming friends and communities weaving themselves together into something bigger than ourselves.

"Woodburn Urban Park today was the perfect example, often walked through but rarely lingered in, and it is a shared space!

"I believe through today’s successful event, we encouraged people to experience the park as a place where they can spend time and relax, meet others, and even spark friendships across community lines. Seeing so many people coming together with openness and generosity was truly inspiring and we look forward to seeing how this week’s events strengthens connections and fosters greater understanding across the city and district."

The Project Coordinator also went on to thank the team at In Your Space Circus and Donegal Sports Partnership, the many performers who played a pivotal role in the event's success, as well as the superb work by the numerous volunteers who gave their time. She also thanked the Deputy Mayor for taking time out of her busy schedule to attend.

The Waterside Together Festival continues throughout the week with numerous other events daily including a ‘Dusk Dander’ with Far and Wild up Corrody Hill on Thursday, and on Culture Night there will be a special outdoor cinema screening of Rear Window (1954) by Alfred Hitchcock – again at Woodburn Urban Park.

For full details of the programme, via Instagram @watersidetogether. For any questions, please email watersidetogether@gmail.com, or phone 028 71 34 2959.