Sunday 15th July
12.00 – 3.30 pm
FREE
Huntingdon Market Square
This summer the beach party is back for its 5th year! Join in the family fun on Sunday 15th July at the FREE Beach Party in the Market Square for an afternoon of seaside amusement and adventure.
Organised by Huntingdonshire Community Church (HCC), Huntingdon Methodist Church and the Huntingdon Town Centre Anglicans, Tim Anderson of HCC and the Event Leader, says, “If you’ve never been then you must come with the whole family. It’s a party not to be missed in the heart of the town where we lay out eight tons of sand for an afternoon of fun, food, relaxation, adventure and exploration. Because life’s about living to the full and taking on the challenge, for the second year, we’re providing not only the beach with its activities and puppet shows, but a boulder climbing wall for the brave to conquer. Bring your bucket and spade; everyone is welcome.”
The Beach Party will include a beach play area, fully certified climbing wall, sand sculpturing competitions, non-alcoholic cocktail bar, BBQ, ice-cream stand, teas, coffees, cake stall, giant games, puppet shows, craft activities and a beach deck seating area.
Some ask why the churches do this. “The reason is we just want to put on an event for the people of Huntingdon with no strings attached. As we are in the centre of England and a little way from the coast, we thought why not bring the beach to us so that everyone, including families, can have a great time.”
The event is free, although donations are welcomed for food and drink if people wish to give them. Being active in the community, the churches want to be part of creating some good news in the heart of the town and at the same time perhaps changing perceptions of what the church is like.
The day of the beach party comes after many weeks of planning and preparations. Work starts on the day at 8.30am when the plastic membrane, which lies under the sand, is put down. Then the hurdles (loaned by Wimpole Hall Farm), which form the ‘wall’ around the beach, are laid out. Finally, the sand for the beach is emptied from the skip and smoothed out. Last year the sand was provided by Mick George. At the end of the day, an army of helpers help in sweeping up the sand and putting it back in the skip, ready to be collected the following morning.
“We are so grateful for the many comments we have had from local people as to how much the beach party means to them,” concludes Tim Anderson.
Please come along on the day. Further information is available from the HCC office 01480 411665 or email [email protected]