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“We understand that budgeting for festivals and events like ours can be a challenge, so we’re taking steps to make sure every family has the opportunity to join in the fun, whether they’re attending for the full weekend or just visiting us for the day.” Rob Batson founder of Family Fest
This award-winning festival returns to The Meadows field just over Julian’s Bridge on Friday 30th May to Sunday 1st June. This year sees live music, entertainment and a variety of attractions carrying on for the first time until 9pm on the Friday and Saturday night of the festival.
Organisers have also decided to reduce the entrance fee with standard children’s tickets £5 and adults £8.
Family Fest founder Rob Batson said: “With the challenging economic climate, we want to make Family Fest accessible to as many people as possible. Tickets are reduced and all activities at the festival, except for inflatable and fairground rides, are included in the entrance price so there’s no hidden costs once you come through the gate.”
He added: “Family Fest has always been about creating memories for families to share, and by reducing some ticket prices with almost 45% off our original planned 2025 prices, we’re ensuring that even more families can be part of the festival.”
Sited on 12-acres of working farmland, Family Fest offers on-site camping as well as shuttle bus services, courtesy of Burrows Coaches, from Wimborne Square to the festival site. There’s also a special bus service from Blandford. People are encouraged to use public transport, bicycle or walk to the festival as part of Family Fest’s commitment to a sustainable eco event. Rob Batson said: “On-site, our eco commitment continues. We ask traders to use super-silent generators to reduce noise pollution.”
Headliners this year include the UK’s leading Rudimental tribute band Rudimentalists on Friday and 80’s and 90’s cover sensation Yazadi on Saturday.
There’s a new Bournemouth One lounge with street food and a bar, hosted by Bournemouth’s newest radio station. There’s thrilling BMX bike shows and traditional fun with Punch & Judy and magic shows plus festival shopping with food, gifts and artisan products from across Dorset on offer with a special focus on supporting the county’s small business traders.
Batson, who has experience in events management, runs the festival voluntarily along with just four other people in his creative team and 15 “invaluable” volunteers during the festival weekend. The festival supports local charity The Cherry Tree Nursery which offers rehabilitation through horticulture. Over the past four years it has donated £4000 to the nursery in Bournemouth.
“Family Fest has a strong community focus and we always want to give back in some way. It’s a great sense of achievement to transform a farmer’s field into a festival extravaganza with the main aim to bring families together for some fun.”
Wimborne BID (Business Improvement District) has supported Family Fest since it set up in Wimborne four years ago.
Rob Batson said: “We are ever grateful to Wimborne BID for offering promotional support as well as helping us to connect effectively with the array of businesses in the town who we love to work with so they too can benefit from the influx of visitors to Wimborne.”
Family Fest hopes to attract over 3000 visitors to Wimborne during the festival weekend.
Visit www.ffdorset.co.uk for more information
