Festival organisers, from the UK’s biggest children’s festival are on the hunt to find the best hidden kid’s entertainers in Liverpool.
After a highly successful event in 2017, which saw 22,000 people attend, Geronimo Festival is set to return to Cheshire’s Arley Hall, for a second year from 25th-28th May 2018, and organisers want your help.
A festival like no other, Geronimo caters solely for children and aims to create magical memories for both seasoned and new festival-goers alike, whatever their age. A world-class event, the festival is a great way for families to connect, while also making the most of precious time away from nursery, school or work.
Unrivalled in the UK for its sheer scale and size, Geronimo is often referred to as ‘Glastonbury for kids’ as the site is ten times the size of a children’s field at a regular family festival and offers the largest collection of children’s experiences in one location.
Organisers have already started planning the 2018 event and are set on it being the biggest and best yet. Today they have launched a call out for the region’s best family entertainment acts to get in touch, with a view to joining their ranks.
Festival founder, Simon Goldman, who lives in Salford comments: “The Geronimo team scours distant and far reaching places to find the most unique acts to join our festival. However, we know there must be some hidden gems out there, so we are making it known that we want them to get in touch.
“We’re looking for the weirdest, the most wonderful, the craziest and the funniest acts in children’s entertainment to come and be part of what is a truly magical event. Also with half term and Halloween upon us, we are asking parents, who live on the frontline kids’ entertainment, to get in touch if they spot any must-see acts that would make a great addition to the event.”
The line-up at Geronimo is a highly-curated mash-up of the best, as well as the most unique acts, activities and attractions to be found in the UK. Justin Fletcher, Mr Bloom and Andy Day have all headlined in the past.
In fact, everything you could ever want from a family day out and every type of children’s entertainment is covered at Geronimo. Adventurers can hit the ‘Adrenalin Zone’, taking to the high rope course, tackling the zip wire, building a den or facing one of four climbing walls. Animal lovers can become junior zoo keepers, as well as ride donkeys, pet snakes and hang out with a private collection of Aldabra giant tortoises. Those with a flair for the theatrical can get involved with music, theatre and craft workshops, as well as watch magician and illusionist performances in a 1,500-seater theatre. While those with a love of all things fantastical can step inside the two circuses, which will be pitched at the event. Music lovers can get enjoy silent discos, baby raves and cardboard harp classes. There’s even a full-scale showground arena with activities such as jousting tournaments, motorcycle stunts and fire shows, timetabled each day.
The festival has already started to add a host of new acts to its 2018 line-up, with highlights so far including: The Sock Federation Wrestling, sheep racing, 1,200 seater Gandey’s Circus, a giant Lego mosaic, full scale highland games, Tigers Children’s Motorcycle Display Team, Rocking Horse World, a woodland tribe, a junk violin workshop and The Little Fawn Caravan Puppet Theatre. However, it is on the hunt for more, and those interested in joining them on one of Geronimo’s many stages register the details of their act at www.geronimofest.com/get-involved
Launched in 2015 in Cheshire, Geronimo is the brainchild of Simon Goldman, a father-of-seven from Manchester. He came up with the concept when he couldn’t find a day out that catered for all of his children (who range from toddlers to teenagers) in one place.
Simon comments: “As a large family we were always on the lookout for days out that would keep all of our kids entertained. With varying ages, it was difficult to find something that catered for all. Then, when I started looking to take my kids to a festival, I found that lots of the events were designed with adult entertainment at the forefront, and a kids’ zone bolted on.
“So, we came up with the idea of Geronimo and set out to create the ultimate festival experience. One where the kids are king, and the environment is designed first and foremost, from their perspective. We wanted to establish an experience where whether you’re two or you’re fourteen, you get to enjoy the perfect day out with your parents and siblings.
“Over the last four years, I proud to say we have done that. No other UK family festival or day out can offer as much diverse entertainment, at such great a value, as we do. Over the course of a day at Geronimo you can fit in over £140 of entertainment and all for just £25, if you grab an early bird ticket. It truly is a weekend of full-on fun and family madness.
“Also as parents we hate hidden extras, so at Geronimo what you see if what you get. The only area of the festival that carries a nominal fee is the traditional Victorian funfair. We’ve launched a six-month payment plan for tickets, so that families can spread the cost of attending, whether they’re camping or not. We’re even focusing on the multi-generational aspect of the event and how to get the entire clan together for a day out. Which is why, for the first-time, we are offering free tickets for senior citizens with each paying adult and under twos and carers are also free.”
The fun doesn’t stop at Geronimo when the acts do. Families can camp in a specially designed child friendly campsite, with the option to pitch their own tent, bring a caravan or motorhome, or choose from a range of glamping options, available to suit groups of different sizes. They can choose from a wide range of fully equipped, spacious and unique boutique tents, including Arabian Bedouin Tents, Cosy Cubes or bright, airy and affordable Tangerine Tents. Then, there’s also the option of booking all the kit needed to camp, and the promise of being pitched with friends regardless of group size, which is all readily available on arrival.
Early bird tickets for Geronimo Festival at Arley Hall are now on sale and range from £25 for a day to £55 for the full weekend. To book your tickets, visit www.geronimofest.com . For further information, find Geronimo on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GeronimoFestival .