Horsham set to become a wonderland as Sparks in the Park returns

The town is set to become a wonderland of fun and festivities on Sunday, July 12, as Sparks in the Park returns to Horsham Park with this year’s theme based around Lewis Carroll’s beloved children’s novel Alice in Wonderland.

The event will see a whole host of family activities come to town, including Horsham’s Skate Jam, Bensons Fun Fair, Horsham Rotary’s Charity Day and even an appearance from Paddington Bear.

The Sports Zone will return, offering visitors a chance to try different sporting activities, such as karate, table tennis and even military fitness along with the Kapow wrestling team and the Community Stage, which will host a mixture of live performances throughout the afternoon.

Also returning will be the 999 community showcase event.

Horsham police will be joined by crews from West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service who will be carrying out demonstrations as well as representatives from Sussex Safer Roads Partnership, Safer Routes to School, Neighbourhood Watch and Horsham District Health and Wellbeing team.

Horsham Police’s public engagement officer Louisa Hull said: “We are hoping that local residents will come and enjoy the 999 community safety area in the park again this year.

“Horsham Neighbourhood Policing Team will be carrying out fun demonstrations and if you’ve ever wondered about how heavy our riot shields are, then come and try one out.

“There will also be the opportunity for children to look at some of our police vehicles and for everyone to meet some of our local police cadets and special constables”.

Sparks will also be hosting part of the first ever Sprungdigi digital arts festival, which will showcase digital work created by children with learning disabilities, including work from Queen Elizabeth II School and Horsham Day Services.

The festival will take place across the town throughout the weekend with a special exhibition at the Sparks event.

The Alice in Wonderland theme will continue throughout the day with many costumed performers and entertainers wandering around the different stalls.

A mad-hatter style tea party will be in the centre of the park and there will be a costume parade for visitors who dress up as their favourite Alice in Wonderland characters, with prizes handed out to the best dressed children and families.

The parade will start at 3.15pm at the community stage in the park’s Nature Garden.

Visitors will also be well catered for with food and drink courts at either end of the park.

The Great Horsham Bake Off, run by the Horsham Rotary LINC group, will also be taking place with plenty of cakes available for visitors to buy after the competition .

Prizes will handed out to the best three bakers in each of the categories before the cakes and baked goods are sold to make money for charity.

Chairman of Horsham District Council Tricia Youtan, along with vice chairman Christian Mitchell, will open the event at 12pm.

For more information and to follow news about the event visit www.facebook.com/horshamtimewellspent.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.wscountytimes.co.uk

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wscountytimes

3) Follow us on Twitter @wscountytimes

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The County Times - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.