They’re singing, dancing and clowning in the rain
Last updated at 15:18, Sunday, 19 August 2012
IT may have rained but there were still large crowds to be seen on the opening day of the Masquepony Festival yesterday.
The festival in Cartmel Village and on the racecourse, is a new family-friendly event which showcases contemporary circus, music, comedy and magic acts.
Masquepony kicked off yesterday afternoon with a free display of street performers taking over the centre of Cartmel village.
Jan Shorrock, of Lakes Alive, who organised the festival, said: “It’s a shame about the rain but it’s early days and tomorrow’s weather is supposed to be better for the banquet.
“There has been loads of support from the village and there have been big crowds despite the drizzle.” One of the acts that went down well was Artizani, a solo show performed by James Macpherson that mixed silent-movie clowning with acrobatics.
Maggie Taylor Woods, from St Helens, was very impressed by the show, describing it as “fantastic’’.
Megan Owen, 20, from Bolton, also really enjoyed the performance.
She said: “I’m a big fan of street performers and I came up for the weekend especially to see the festival. I’m camping on the racecourse and can’t wait for the banquet tomorrow.”
The most popular act was u Chapeau Magique, who held origami hat-making workshops in the village square.
They drew a large crowd and for their acts they handed out sheets of brown paper to the watching children and adults and then showed how to make their own masterpieces.
Gail Best, from Grange, who brought her two children along, said: “We loved the hat making, but we didn’t love the rain!
“The festival is great for the area and local people and it’s nice the festival is so close to where I live.
“If the weather is good we want to come back tomorrow and I would love to see the festival again next year.”
l For a full round-up of the Masquepony Festival and more pictures, see Monday’s Evening Mail.
First published at 13:06, Sunday, 19 August 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
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