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After last year’s cancellation of TriFest because of poor weather, locals at last had the chance to gather in Riverside Park in the sunshine for music, food, beer, games, stalls – and a great get-together.

 

Last year, Bitterne Park’s own festival had to be cancelled because of forecast heavy rain and high winds.

And the All Aboard festival, based around the river and scheduled for June this year, had to be postponed for the same reason..

But on Saturday (July 27) the sun shone for what’s been described as the best TriFest in Riverside Park yet.

 
Were you at TriFest?

Bitterne Park ward councillor Amanda Barnes-Andrews told bitternepark.info it was lovely to see the community event taking place after last year’s cancellation.

“I think it’s wonderful,” she said.

“I got here just before it started and as soon as [organiser] Paul Jenks opened it, people started coming in, putting their blankets down ready for some music, wandering around looking at the community tents and the marketing tents - and it’s got a really lovely community feel.

“See how many people there are here already. And we haven’t even had the dog show yet!”

Festival-goer Tricia from St Denys said: “I just think it’s really good to get all the local people together on a sunny day out in the park, enjoying each other’s company….

“It’s much bigger this year. It’s excellent.

“It’s really well organised, I think. Someone’s made some real effort.”

Colin from Bitterne Park said: “I think it’s brilliant. It’s nice because it’s all community funded, free to come down and look at the people that are here.”

The park filled with a vibrant mix of people reflecting diverse backgrounds and ages, all coming together to celebrate, with equally diverse entertainment, stalls and activities.

Festival-goers enjoyed performances from all kinds of local acts, from Gantry Youth Theatre, Vince Kellett and Fragile Lucy to Cat Elliot, Jaquie & Steve Daniels, Silverman and the always rousing Southampton Ukulele Jam.

“It’s a fabulous eclectic mix of stuff!” commented Mark from St Denys.

Paul Jenks, left, enjoying a break at TriFest with Itchen MP Darren Paffey and Healther Aspinall

Organiser Paul Jenks agreed that it was the largest TriFest so far, certainly in terms of the number of stalls.

“[It’s] about 50/50 mix of local small traders who give us a small percentage of their profits to help us keep going, and community organisations and local charities who are here for free.

“So it makes a really good mix for people wandering around: they can buy something; it’s the first time we’ve had food down here [provided by] traders from the Triangle, and that’s what it’s about - we’re trying to support the Triangle, and they seem to be doing well.

“So yeah: all in all, going alright. And it ain’t raining!”

SOCA Shack and Curry Lounge, both food businesses based at the Triangle, confirmed that they’d had a successful day, with SOCA Shack saying they’d sold out.

Butcher's Hook owner Anthony Nicholls said the pub sold out of everything they took down to the park, selling around 450 litres of beer. They had to go and fetch some more cider to supplement stocks.

"It was much busier than previous years and went really well for us," he said. "It was a lovely atmosphere and a great event to work. Can't thank Paul and Heather and all the other volunteers who made it happen enough."

SOCA Shack

Among the many other stalls present were those from Sea Cadets Southampton, Friends of the Itchen Estuary, Respect the River, Riverside PreSchool, Gantry Youth Theatre, Bitterne Local History Society, Bitterne Shed Club, Southampton District Bee Keepers Association, Bitterne Park Growing Places and organisers of the ever popular dog show Second Chance Animal Rescue.

For many though, TriFest’s unique strength is that all you really need is something to sit on, and - this year at least – probably a sun hat, to enjoy local entertainment in great company.