East End Community Arts Project


	TEL: 0141 554 6642

East End Community Arts - East End Festival

"Hundreds of people lined the streets as the spectacular parade made its way to Tollcross Park for the 10th year of the event. Families watched in delight as fantastically decorated floats and people dressed as heroes and villains from ancient myths passed by."

" Festival goes down a storm as Eastenders ignore bad weather to enjoy a great day of music and circus skills in the park."

Evening Times Monday July 3rd 2006

"When I heard the thunder and saw the heavy rain I didn't think the Festival would be able to go ahead, but it seemed to clear up a bit in time for the parade. It has not stopped us having a good time."

Lisa Park Tollcross Resident

See Photographs of this years event.

The East End Festival celebrated its tenth birthday on Sunday the 2nd of July 2006 and with a remit to be the biggest and best event so far, we were hoping that our luck with the weather would continue.

The big day began with blue skies and bright sunshine and led to consequent justifiable optimism on the part of the production team. By mid morning we had a thunderstorm and heavy rain on our hands. The vagaries of the Scottish climate are always liable to be a significant factor with a large-scale outdoor event and hitherto perhaps defying the laws of probability we have enjoyed exceptionally fair conditions for the East End Festival. Luckily the rain clouds had mostly cleared away by midday but the weather proved to be been a disincentive for some and participation levels in the parade and attendance in Tollcross park was inevitably down on previous years.

Around 200 children took part in the street parade, which this year had the theme of Myths and Legends from the five continents. The parade was led by a giant punk rock Mummy, Cerebus the three headed dog constructed from a legally obtained Tesco shopping trolley and adapted to carry a Surdo drum, led the members of Samba Del Este. A colourful mixture of characters and animals from ancient myths and legends followed on behind them and the now usual posse of prams and proud parents brought up the rear.

In Tollcross Park despite the weather hundreds were already waiting to meet the parade. On the main stage Samba Del Este got the party going and Councillor Tom McKeown and Frank McAveety MSP were on hand to present prizes to the winners of the costume tableau. Meanwhile clowns and magicians from the Big Top were keeping the youngsters entertained in the children's marquee where they also had the chance to learn circus skills or make balloon animals to take home with them. In the new stage two arena there were falconry displays, Highland dancing and music from members of the Shettleston Music Group. Back on the main stage tribute bands entertained the crowds throughout the afternoon with popular hits from the seventies. The Cavern Beatles and Absolute Abba proved to be firm favourites on the day. Other attractions included a programme of family entertainment in children's farm, over forty community stalls offering a range of fun activities and information and as usual displays from the Fire and Police Services proved to be the biggest draw here.

The weather obviously affected attendance this year and as we had performances and activities talking place all around Tollcross park this made arriving at an accurate attendance figure for the day difficult as the crowds were spread around a much larger area. GCC Land Services estimated 8000 visitors.

Planning and preparation is already under way for festival 2007 so if you want to get involved contact us now. In the meantime why don't you check out the picture gallery to see stills from this years festival

Festival Press Clippings

"The Festival organised by East End Community Arts, had a huge response with the public at Tollcross Park. Youngsters produced colourful costumes and headgear with an Egyptian theme. A huge blue statue led the parade and a massive golden pharaoh puppet danced to samba bands and bagpipes."

East End Independent Thursday July 22^nd 2004

"Last Sunday Eastenders young and old came out in force to make this years annual East End Festival the best yet.The sun was shinning and hundreds of people, from all parts of the East End, packed Tollcross Park for the popular annual event."

GEN Friday 23^rd July 2004

"The annual East End Festival was again given the thumbs up from the local community who made the trip along to Tollcross Park last Sunday. With something for everyone, the festival proved to be every bit as popular as last years event and the East End Community is already looking forward to next year."

The East End Independent Thursday July 18^th 2002

"This is a true community event and it’s exemplified by the fact that some thirty four local organisations have got stalls here today for you to enjoy and take part in. I would like to just say a big thanks to all of them for giving their time and effort to help make your day such a big success. And finally a big thanks to all of you-What a terrific turnout thankyou all very much because without you there would be no point in organising this Festival. Enjoy today, enjoy Glasgow’s parks, enjoy the fair fortnight and come back next year because this Festival is going to be even bigger and better."

David Marshall MP. East End Festival 14^th July 2002

East End Independent Thursday July 22^nd 2004

For any information about next year's East End Festival please contact East End Arts either by email - enquiries@eastendarts.co.uk or by phoning our office on 0141 554 6642.