Beer and Carnival Time

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Summer begins to rev up in Ealing

Get your drinking heads ready it's nearly here!

Celebrating its first year as an official fixture on the summer festivals calendar, Ealing Beer Festival is gearing up to welcome more than 9,000 people to Walpole Park over four big days starting this Wednesday (3 July).

There will be a whopping 247 real ales from all over the country (even Ealing) to sample - best if you don't try them all in one session! Traditional ciders, perries and a range of English wines will also be available.

The festival is run by beer-loving locals from the West Middlesex branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) group will be opened at 1pm on Wednesday by Gregg Irwin and Bryan Spooner from the Weird Beard brewery in Hanwell. Live music will keep the party atmosphere going on Thursday and Friday evenings, as well as Saturday afternoon.

Gates will open at 12pm daily and the festival will run until 10.30pm each night (6pm Saturday). Entry is £3 on Wednesday, £4 on Thursday and Friday, and £2 on Saturday. CAMRA members receive a discount of £1 on all days of the event. Those under 21 years will require proof of age. People under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and will not be allowed in the beer tent.

The festival’s designated charity, St John’s Ambulance, will be onsite throughout the four-day event.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, 6 July, more than 400 revellers will parade through the streets of Acton from midday to kick-start Acton Carnival. Their wild and colourful costumes will follow this year’s theme of ‘metamorphosis’ to reflect the changing face of Acton.

The procession will end in Acton Park where a vibrant community festival will keep the celebrations going until 7pm. Funfair rides, global food, market stalls, art and music and dance performances will be on offer throughout the day. Acts taking to the stage include soca singer, Triniboi Joocie, Derwent Water Choir and west London’s street dance crew, Confusion.

There will be plenty of activities for children and young people, including arts and crafts, face painting, zumba, basketball and football skill sessions.

Entry is £2 per person or £5 for a family ticket (two adults and up to three children aged between 12 and 16 years old). Children aged 12 and under are free. Pay at the gates on the day. The carnival is run in conjunction with local charity, Acton Community Forum.

Councillor Julian Bell, leader of the council, said: “I’m delighted the beer festival has officially been added to the summer festivals line-up. The event is a great opportunity for people to sample locally produced ales, as well as beers from the country and further afield.

“Acton Carnival will once again bring an abundance of culture, creativity and family-friendly activities on Saturday. It is such a fantastic celebration of all things great about the area and I encourage Acton residents to make the most of the festivities.”

For more information about Ealing Beer Festival or Acton Carnival, visit www.ealingsummerfestivals.com

Dates For Your Diary:

Ealing Beer Festival: 3-6 July
Acton Carnival: 6 July
Ealing Comedy Festival: 12, 13, 17-19 July
Ealing Summer Screenings: 14, 15 July
Ealing Blues Festival: 20-21 July
Ealing Jazz Festival: 24-28 July
London Mela: 1 September

 

2nd July 2013