KIDZTOWN at BoomTown has experienced a recent growth spurt, embarking on the transition from toddler to big kid with its very own stage and even more adventurous activities!

The Formidable Vegetable Sound System, Professor Elemental, Pyrates!, Disney Rascal, Jaipur Kawa Brass Band, Temple Funk Collective, Roberta Pia and many more, will be performing PG rated material on the brand new Sandcastle Stage!

However, the wonders of KidzTown don’t end there, with loads of fun and engaging workshops, soft play, chill out areas and interactive learning as well as international arts collectives such as Emergency Exit Arts Carnival Float and 'Horace the Travelling Pliosaur Cinema', a 35ft marine reptile with a walk in cinematic belly!!

The creative minds behind KidzTown at BoomTown have also secured funding from the Arts Council to host a series of Carnival Arts workshops for local children and artists in the run up to BoomTown and at Winchester Hat Fair.

In the heart of the city, tucked between OldTown and the Mines, KidzTown is its very own mecca of mischief and make-believe!

Appearing at the much loved mini-festival within the Fair will be a huge selection of activities and interactive installations including: 'Horace the Travelling Pliosaur Cinema' where audiences go on a highly participatory cinematic experience in the belly of a huge Jurassic creature; Emergency Exit Arts returning with their involving experiences using visual performance and processions; Fluidity Freerun transforming the world into a playground with their seemingly gravity defying skills; the wonderful and attention grabbing walkabout act, Granny Turismo; circus skills workshops with Panic Family Circus; Other World Arts will be engaging with all ages teaching via arts and crafts to raise awareness of environmental issues and Dr Spinoff and his Tricky Tricycles with 20 classic Raleigh BMX's modified to do weird and wacky things and Barnaby – Bear with Me: a man, a bear, a unicycle, bananas and acrobatics!

Also to be found within the fun-filled walls of KidzTown are: Biddy Bingo, Grannyoke, geodome climbing frames, Wutan Kidz Kung-fu, pizza and puppets, combination of yoga and play with Chota Yoga, Kat’s Whiskers, Mr Wolf shadow puppet shows, spongeboards, Pieman Beatboxer, inflatables, horse & cart rides, drum circle, all sorts of make and do workshops including kites, hats, t-shirt printing and of course, the thing any self-respecting seaside resort needs, an almighty sandpit!

There is also a whole host of family friendly facilities available, KidzTown offers a serene baby changing chamber in a beautiful bell tent that also provides milk heating, relaxing breast feeding area and a space just to unwind and natter with likeminded parents. Across the rest of the site BoomTown offers; family camping, a dedicated family car parking pass (closer to the family camping spot) and festibarrow to transport the inevitable truck load of equipment from the car park to your camping spot!

Not wishing for families to feel like they have to stay in KidzTown the whole weekend (although many may wish to do so!) the Heart of the Fair will be chock-a-block with a full line-up of music, theatre, performance along with workshops and craft areas that will be family friendly and suitable for all ages.

In addition to all the activities onsite, KidzTown have also got some big plans for preview activities local to the festival site. The Arts Council has recently approved funding for KidzTown to co-ordinate acrobatics, circus, costume, dance, float décor, free running, production and stilt walking workshops for children and young people aged 5-18 and families from Winchester and the surrounding areas to participate.

A week of summer workshops will be hosted at The Discovery Arts Centre culminating in a carnival procession to be previewed at the Hat Fair (Winchester) and showcased at BoomTown Fair in August. 

KidzTown will involve previous partner charities of BoomTown including; Naomi House and Jack’s Place, Blue Apple Dance and provide new opportunities for disadvantaged, disabled groups and young people in rural areas.

Tickets are still available from the website at the final tier price of £150 (+BF & EcoBond): http://www.boomtownfair.co.uk/tickets. Headliners for the festival include: The Cat Empire, NOFX, Jimmy Cliff, The Wailers, Tinariwen, Bellowhead, Afro Celt Sound System, Playing for Change, Raggasonic, Lady Saw, UK Allstars World Debut, Babylon Circus, Toasters, Tipper, Boddika, Special Request, Eats Everything and many more.