Rushden Research Group: Party in the Park

Party in the Park

After interest in the Carnival deminished drastically, due in part to the closure of nearly all the large factories in Rushden, the new Town Council decided to try something different for the town's annual charity fund raising event. A Party in the Park was first tried in 2002 and is now firmly established. It is held on the second week-end in July and on Saturday in the Hall Park. Charities set up stalls around a main arena, and stalls selling food and ice creams, together with a fun fair and some "white knuckle" rides, are erected around the park. In the evening on Saturday, in the walled garden, a concert with a band or group entertains the crowd. On Sunday a street market fills the High Street and entertainment and childrens' rides add to the fun.

SATURDAY 9th JULY 2005 - PROGRAMME
11.00am	-5.00pmCRAFT FAIR (in Craft Marquee) Handmade goods for sale by local craftsmen
1.00pm	Official welcome by the Mayor
ARENA
1.15pm	Parade of Military Vehicles
1.45pm	P.A.V.C.C. Field Gun Display Team Junior Cadet Version of the Royal Tournament Gun Run
2.45pm	British Legion Majorettes
3.30pm	P.A.V.C.C. Field Gun Display Team Junior Cadet Version of the Royal Tournament Gun Run
4.00pm	Tug-of-War Display Leics/N'hants/Rutland Army Cadet Corps (Rushden Detachment)
SOUND STAGE (IN WALLED GARDEN)
1.30pm	Newton Road School
2.00pm	Rushden Town Band
3.00pm	Whitefriars Junior School
3.15pm	Denfield Park Junior School
3.30pm	Alfred Street Junior School
4.00pm	Rushden Town Band
5.00pm	- 7.00pm ENSA Concert & Sing-a-long by 'Rushden Amateur Theatrical Society' and the 'Spitfires' 40's Entertainment Group including naughty 40's fashion show.
Period Allied Uniform or civilian dress encouraged. Bring your own picnic and join in the 'street party' atmosphere

SATURDAY only

Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends

SATURDAY & SUNDAY
TRUCKS, TROOPS & STORES A Living History Firemen Remembered
Fun Fair Inflatables Face Painters Pinxton Puppets	Charity Stalls Pig Roast BBQ & licensed bar

IN THE PARK
1 .00pm	Inter Schools Touch Rugby Tournament Competing for the Coulson Cup
2.15pm	Calvero - Charlie Chaplin look-a-like
4.15pm	Duo Du Sol - Acrobatic Comedy & Mime
MARQUEE (IN WALLED GARDEN)
Until 5.00pm	DVD of 'D Day' (in colour) Videos - Home Front
7.30pm	- 11.00pm Evening Dance by 'Persuasion' and the 'Spitfires'
RUSHDEN HALL
Until 5.00pm	EXHIBITIONS: Aviation/WWII Art by Keith Hill, Rushden at War by Eric Fowell, USAF bases Podington & Chelveston by Bill Donald & Gerry Darnell. H. E. BATES Centenary (Mrs Marian Knott & David Linnell)

SUNDAY 10th JULY 2005 - PROGRAMME
11.00am	- 5.00pm CRAFT FAIR (in Craft Marquee) Handmade goods for sale by local craftsmen
ARENA		MARQUEE (IN WALLED GARDEN)
1.00pm	Parade of Military Vehicles	Until 4.00pm	DVD of 'D Day' (in colour) Videos - Home Front
1.15pm	Carlsberg Pipe Band	5.00pm	ROYAL BRITISH LEGION United Church Service and Dedication with British and American war veterans and colour parties (everyone welcome).
2.15pm	Black Knights Freefall Parachute team
2.45pm	Air Cadets (Band)
3.45pm	Carlsberg Pipe Band
4.15pm	Parade of Military Vehicles
SOUND STAGE (IN WALLED GARDEN)		RUSHDEN HALL
1.30pm	The 'Spitfires' 40's Entertainers	Until 5.00pm	EXHIBITIONS: Aviation/WWII Art by Keith Hill, Rushden at War by Eric Fowell, USAF bases Podington & Chelveston by Bill Donald & Gerry Darnell. H. E. BATES Centenary
2.00pm	Rushden Mission Band
2.45pm	The 'Spitfires' 40's Entertainers
3.15pm	Rushden Mission Band
IN THE PARK
1.45pm	Calvero - Charlie Chaplin look-a-like
3.15pm	Duo Du Sol - Acrobatic Comedy & Mime

SATURDAY 14th JULY 2007 - PROGRAMME
RUSHDEN HALL
From 12 noon	EXHIBITIONS by Rushden & District Art Society, Rushden History Society, Rushden Amenities Society, and Whitefriars Junior School.
ARENA
1.30pm	The Eagle & Vulture Show As seen on T.V. worldwide. See the huge Bald Eagle in flight!
2.00pm	The Rockwood Dog Display Team A highly professional team with a variety of breeds. Great fun for all the family with audience participation.
2.30pm	Kettering Sea Cadets Marching Band
2.45pm	The Flyin Ryan Motorcycle Stunt Show Motorcycle jumps to take your breath away. Plus 12 year old tearaway Jumpin James.
3.15pm	The Eagle & Vulture Show Look out for Dyson, the ugliest bird in town.
3.45pm	The Rockwood Dog Display Team Some of the dogs have worked with Britain's top actors.
4.15pm	The Flyin Ryan Motorcycle Stunt Show Professional and exciting.
4.45pm	Kettering Sea Cadets Marching Band
IN THE PARK
1.00pm	Official Welcome by the Mayor (Cllr. Tony Helsdown)
1.05pm	Inter Schools Touch Rugby Tournament Competition for the Coulson Cup.
3.00pm	MINI OLYMPICS open to teams of 6 children up to 11 years of age. 5 events to include running, jumping and throwing.
4.00pm	Tug-of-War Knockout Competition Local Teams.

SOUND STAGE IN WALLED GARDEN
Programme of entertainment throughout the afternoon and evening including performances from : Debra MacFarlane School of Dancing, Prospekt, South End Junior School, The Ferrers School and King's Crew Performing Arts Team.
8.00pm	ABBA REUNITED
10.00pm	FIREWORK DISPLAY FINALE

SUNDAY 15th JULY, 2007

SUMMER MARKET & ICE CREAM FESTIVAL
Rushden High Street from 10.00 am

Continental Market Stalls

Farmers' Market Stalls

Bands

Punch and Judy

Pimms Tent

Children's Farirground Ride

Morris/Clog Dancers

Ice Cream

Programme of musical entertainment From approx. 11.30 am

Sponsored by ENC and Rushden Chamber of Trade

In 2008 evening entertainment was by a tribute act "Greased Up" featuring music from the hit musical. Many took their chairs and settled down, with a picnic and drinks, to enjoy themselves. A laser show closed the event.

IN THE WALLED GARDEN Audiences are advised to bring own seating arrangements. Picnics encouraged. Continuousprogramme of entertainment on the sound stage throughout the afternoon and evening including performances from: 'Meet us in the Chorus' Ferrers Specialist Arts College Rushden Community College South End Junior School 'Dance Vybz' Street Dance School 'Top Marks' Performing Arts 'This Band Called' Plus the winner of NewMusicNite@ThePembo Times of performances will be advertised in the walled garden on the day
6.00pm	John Dunmore 'Boogy' Band Foot tapping music from this popular band
8.00pm	'THE BOHEMIANS' "Brilliant" - according to Brian May

SATURDAY 11th JULY, 2009
IN THE PARK
Small Arena/Car Park Area
1.05pm	Junior Touch Rugby Tournament Knockout competition for the Coulson Cup organised by Rushden & Higham Rugby Club
3.00pm approx	Power Trip Wrestling A platform for the promising future stars of British Wrestling.
Main Arena
1.00pm	Official Welcome by the Mayor (Cllr. Mrs Gill Mercer)
1.15pm	Joseph's Amazing Racing Pigs Six rare breed pigs who will fill the arena with their amusing antics. The pigs are on display all day providing much interest for the public.
2.00pm	Kangaroos Gymnastics Team - The Comedy Display Formed in 1981, the Kangaroos are now recognised as one of the leading gymnastic display teams in Europe and one of the top indoor and outdoor arena acts of any kind in Britain.
2.20pm	Dingle Fingle's Clown Town Fire Watch Presented by clowns 'Pump Waters' and 'Philup Bucket', featuring 'Fingle the Fire Engine'.
3.00pm	Kangaroos Gymnastics Team - The Main Display This display consists of a series of 7 increasingly difficult and more spectacular moves with over 200 somersaults including many doubles and triples. The highlight of the performance is multiple somersaults over a car.
3.45pm	Joseph's Amazing Racing Pigs With entertaining commentary and jolly music.
4.10pm	Dingle Fingle's Clown Town Fire Watch Will they find the fire in this hilarious slapstick show?

RUSHDEN MUSEUM

Exhibitions 2009

'Gas Mask to Gravy Legs' - Rushden during WWII
The Home Guard
Women's Work in Wartime
Wartime Milkmen in Rushden

Gas Masks, Civil Defence, Entertainment,
Rationing, Dig for Victory, Air Raid, Blackouts,
Bombing, The 1940's House and Costume

The Marriott Exhibition

Since it first opened in 2006, Rushden Museum has opened on
Saturday from noon to 5pm and on Sunday afternoon from 2-4pm
during the Party in the Park weekend.