Final preparations for Parklife 2017

Final preparations are being made for Parklife 2017 – South Cambridgeshire’s biggest annual free family fun day.

The event – at Milton Country Park on Sunday 25 June between 10am and 5pm – is organised by South Cambridgeshire District Council in partnership with Cambridge Sport Lakes Trust, the charity which manages the country park.

Previous years have seen over 5,000 people attend, enjoying a variety of free activities and entertainment for all ages and abilities.

It will open with the regular 2k junior parkrun – started by South Cambridgeshire District Council Chairman Cllr David McCraith.

All activities are free of charge and for most, visitors can just turn up on the day. Some advance bookings have been made for watersports such as canoeing, kayaking and paddle-boarding, but remaining slots will be available to book on the day.

New activities this year include Cambridge United’s Soccer School with its inflatable football pitch and the club’s new Olympic School, offering tasters of a range of sports.

Old favourites will include the climbing wall, bouncy castle, archery plus all-ability bikes, mountain bikes, smoothie bikes and more in the cycle zone.

Children are required to wear socks on the inflatable slide and bouncy castle, and closed-toe shoes on the climbing wall.

On the main lake, experienced instructors will take visitors out on canoes, kayaks and paddleboards or introduce them to fishing. For a small donation, local charity Hoveraid will take visitors on a 'Madagascan Journey' with a woodland trail followed by a whizz around the lake on their hovercraft.

Entertainment will include live music, dancing and circus skills plus lots of other opportunities to join in and have fun, from den building and pond dipping to nature trails.

Food and refreshments will be available to buy from a range of local vendors, including a vintage tea tent in the country park’s orchard.

Cllr Sue Ellington, South Cambridgeshire District Council member with responsibility for Health and Wellbeing, said: “This year’s Parklife looks set to be the biggest and best ever. It will be a fabulous day out for the whole family, offering a wide range of activities to inspire all ages to get out into the open and be active.”

Milton Country Park is located just off the junction of the A10 and A14 and is clearly sign-posted. There will be a charge for car parking.