A village fete at the core of South London

A traditional village fete with 130 events and an urban vibe will celebrate the things which unite a community – not divide it.

Bankside Open Spaces Trust will host its Big Get Together– a day-long street party spanning Redcross Way and Union Street to Flat Iron Square – on Sunday, June 24 from noon until 9pm.

It is part of the nationwide The Great Get Together initiative inspired by the late MP, Jo Cox.

Bankside residents invite all who live and work in the area, and those visiting, to get together to celebrate all that we hold in common.

Last year’s event saw 4,500 people gather in the heart of Bankside.

This year’s event is set to attract yet more visitors as organisers get set to showcase an even broader mix of talent, interactive shows, exhibits and dance forming one of London’s most vibrant, diverse and accessible street festivals.

In addition to popular fixtures from bark-offs to bake-offs, wacky races to live music and theatre, some of 2018’s 130 highlights include live performances across three music stages.

Highlights include; Feast on the Street, Bark-Off Dog Show, Wacky Races and a head dress parade, along with live music and theatre across five stages programmed by SuperGlad Music, Corsica Studios DJs, Lost Rivers and Resonance 104.4FM . There is laugh-a-minute comedy from the Country Mile Comedy Club, dance workshops from Swing Patrol and the Castellers of London’s amazing human tower.

Country Mile is a company presenting regular charity comedy nights in London, Cambridge, Oxford and Edinburgh. The organisation has hosted some of the most exciting acts on the British comedy circuit, from TV regulars to upcoming stars.

Swing Patrol, a community of more than 1,500 dancers, has built a massive collective energy making great friendships along the way. Members broke the Guinness World Record in 2015 for the world’s largest Charleston dance group with 975 people.

The musicians and bands performing include Ben Somers, Brothers Ignatius Ska Band and Swing Patrol’s massive jazz dance workshops.

There is the sought-after Feast on the Street hosted by emerging eco-chef Clair Hodge, and a screening of England’s World Cup game against Panama.

The Redcross Garden Fete, in Redcross Way from noon-6pm, features deckchairs, cocktails and elderflower sparkling wine with acoustic and classical sounds floating in the background, plus an Ultimate Bake Off, Maypole dancing and acoustic music.

Music Programme line up. ? 12.30: Rupert Gillett – cellist ? 1.15pm: Alda Dizdari will also be joined by the students of the DEA Music Academy ? 2pm: Break ? 2.30pm: Maypole dancing ? 3.15pm: Leo Aram Downs ? 4pm: Maypole dancing. ? 4.45pm: James McKean ? 5.15pm: Rob Corocan & Lyle Zimmernan People are also invited to channel their inner Dick Dastardly or Penelope Pitstop and compete in the Wacky Races. It is sponsored by the Gentleman Baristas and supported by hundreds of spectators.

This year’s contest covers egg and spoon and space hopper races, a snorkeling kit race, wheelbarrow race, tug-o-war, and two-person game, Knock Your Block Off. The heats are from 12.45pm and the finals from 4pm.

The Great Get Together Bark Off is open to dogs of all ages, shapes and sizes. To register, simply turn up at the Barkside stall in Redcross Way (south side) and register your dog from 1pm.

There are five categories your canine companion can compete in, starting at 1.45pm and finishing at 3pm.

The champion of champions will later be named as the Best in Bankside and take home a hamper of human and canine treats kindly donated from sponsors.

Anna Webb, co-presenter of The Barking Hour on Radio London, will be the celebrity judge of the day.

This year’s event will form part of the London Festival of Architecture (LFA), putting Bankside on the map of its global festival trail with a series of design-focused events and exhibits reflecting its theme of identity.

This includes Musicity’s extraordinary singing buildings, and an exhibition and dedicated installation, which coincide with the centenary year of women’s suffrage to celebrate the inspirational of female figureheads who have made a major impact socially or environmentally in their local communities in SE1 and throughout the capital.

* Access to the street festival is entirely free, with tickets available for selected events. See https://bost.org.uk/thegreatget together for full event programme.