Seaside Party in the Park festival axed
A FESTIVAL that attracts thousands of revellers to a seaside town has been axed.
Increasing costs and lack of volunteers have forced organisers to pull the plug on the Party in the Park, staged in Cliff Park, Dovercourt much to the disappointment of residents.
Described as “the highlight” of the year, the one day free festival has attracted up to 7,000 people in the past but now organisers claim the event has fallen victim to its own success.
Dale Cheeseman, organiser, said: “If we had 7,000 [people] last time, how many are we going to have this time?
“Yes, it was a good community event but we have got the bike run which is another good day in Harwich so we are, in our own way, still supporting an event in the town.”
“Hopefully somebody might want to come along and organise it.”
The event, which costs around £10,000 to run, was a joint venture between Harwich Town Council, Harwich Connexions and the Harwich and District Community Association.
Dovercourt resident and former mayoress, Helen Gallagher, said she was “gutted” the event would not be taking place again.
She said: “It was a lovely one off social occasion for everyone to enjoy.
“I don’t blame people for not wanting to volunteer because it is a lot of hassle, especially if your not getting paid for it, but it would be nice if proper security or marshalls could be provided like they are for similar festivals in Harwich and Clacton.”
She added: “I am disappointed for myself and for people in Harwich. It is something everyone looks forward to and it is the highlight of the year for many.”
Party in the Park, started off as a one-off event in 2004 to mark the 400th anniversary of Harwich’s Royal Charter. Further events were held in 2006 and 2007 – and there was uproar when it was announced the event was in jeopardy and would not be held again until 2009.
John Mowle, one of the volunteers, collected money at the last event in 2007.
He said: “We didn’t get enough help, it’s as simple as that. You have to raise quite a bit of money and have people prepared to volunteer, but they just weren’t there.
“It a loss for the town, it was very popular but people can’t be expected to work hard with very little help.”
Les Double, a director of Harwich Connexions, said: “It is a big job, it was well attended and with things becoming well attended that means there is a lot of people, people need to be pleased and the more people we have got, the more issues arise.”
“The area was not really big enough too,” he added. #
Source: Harwich News
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