Community Interest Company created to stage events for all to enjoy.
Saturday 16th December will see Kings Heath Village Square taken over by a seasonal event which will truly stand out – because it has been designed by, and for, the local community.
The Festive Frolic will include a craft market, street food vendors, and street performers. For the youngsters there’s the Power Play Party Bus, and specialist children’s entertainers, and there’s plenty for adults too. Over 18s can visit Bad Santa’s Grotto, and maybe warm up afterwards with a boozy hot chocolate from the Orgazmic Milkshake company or a mulled wine from the festive bar.
Visitors will have the opportunity to stock up on Christmas presents from local creatives and producers including award winning hot sauce producers (and passionate Kings Heath local) Pip’s Hot Sauce, artists like Ruth Green, sweet treats from Kneals Chocolates and Jam V Custard, preserves from newly Kings Heathen local Cuffufel, Christmas essentials like cheeses and breads and so much more (full list can be provided). And there will be amazing street food too.
Pip from Pip’s Hot Sauce said, “We can’t wait till the Festive Frolic. For us there has not been an event that has felt right in Kings Heath since the York Road street closures in the summer that the Hare put on. There has just not been any vibe. When they went and then we heard there would be no Street Festival we were gutted. The Festive Frolic ticks all the right boxes and we can’t wait to see all the lovely folk of Kings Heath again!”
The Festive Frolic has been put together by the Kings Heath Community Interest Company and is designed to be an event for everyone. the Company was set up by people who live and work in the area, and includes Dave Loughran-Smith, who was behind the first two KH street festivals, Adam Regan who co-owns the iconic Hare and Hounds, and Jonathan Jaffa, the proprietor of the area’s oldest business, York Supplies.The board also includes Katy Stone, who has lived and worked in the area for more than a decade and Kate Goodall, a long-term Kings Heath resident who’s been involved in a huge variety of community groups.
Dave said: “Kings Heath is a fantastic place to live and we feel it needs some iconic events in the calendar to get everyone together to celebrate everything that is great about Kings Heath. The event has something for everyone: with a huge range of children’s activities; superb live music from great local bands; award winning street food; an eclectic mix of craft stalls and somewhere to enjoy a festive tipple. There’s going to be some real festive cheer and we can’t wait for the big day.”