Thousands of people will have their eyes on the skies when the Northampton Balloon Festival returns to The Racecourse this weekend – but down on the ground, some of the town’s most important work will also be on show.
Northampton Town Council is bringing its Community Marquee back to the festival for a fourth year, creating a showcase for the charities, voluntary organisations and community groups which make a difference to people’s lives across the town.
Open throughout the three-day event, the marquee will give visitors the chance to meet the people behind local organisations, find out more about the services and activities available in Northampton and perhaps discover a new opportunity to volunteer or get involved.
The organisations taking part span a broad cross-section of community life, from health and wellbeing and youth projects to sports clubs, cultural groups, charities and grassroots initiatives.
For the Town Council, the marquee is about giving those groups a prominent platform at one of Northampton’s biggest annual gatherings – helping them reach new audiences, attract supporters and demonstrate the contribution they make throughout the year.
Mayor of Northampton Cllr Mike Hallam said: “The Northampton Balloon Festival is one of the highlights of our town’s calendar, bringing together thousands of people for a fantastic weekend of entertainment. We’re delighted that the Town Council is delivering the Community Marquee, giving local organisations the opportunity to showcase the amazing work they do.
“This town is home to an extraordinary range of community groups, charities and voluntary organisations, many of which quietly make a huge difference to people’s lives every single day. The Community Marquee is a chance to shine a spotlight on that work and help residents discover the support, activities and opportunities available right on their doorstep.”
The Northampton Balloon Festival has become one of the county’s largest annual events, combining spectacular hot air balloon displays with live entertainment, family activities and a wide choice of food and drink.
The Community Marquee will be open from noon until 6pm on each day of the festival.
Leader of Northampton Town Council Cllr Les Marriott said the marquee offered something for everyone, whether they were hoping to become more involved in their community or simply wanted to discover what was happening locally.
He said: “Whether you’re looking to volunteer, find a new hobby, access support or simply learn more about what’s happening in your local community, I would encourage everyone visiting the festival to spend some time in the Community Marquee.
“Together, we can celebrate the people and organisations that make Northampton such a welcoming and vibrant place to live.”
Northampton Town Council sponsors and supports the Northampton Balloon Festival as part of its annual events programme.
This year’s festival takes place at The Racecourse from Friday August 14 to Sunday August 16, with gates open from noon until 10.30pm each day.
Advance tickets are available from £4. More information is available at www.northamptonballoonfestival.co.uk.
