After heavy overnight rain, we enjoyed a mainly sunny day in Kidwells Park for Maidenhead Carnival.

It was the third year in a row that the Carnival had been in the park, after relocating from down by the river, and also the third year that we had decided to take a stall.

We had an early start to the day and were on site by 8.30am.

Setting up two marquees, along with all the tables, chairs, literature, competition entry forms and associated other detritus took the best part of an hour and a half, by which time early-birds had begun to arrive in the park.

We enjoyed a short time of prayer, and a coffee before venturing forth.

As in previous years, we had decided to hold a colouring competition for children.  This provided the dual purpose of giving the kids something to do whilst allowing their parents to sit down for a while and take a rest.  It also gave us the opportunity to talk to the parents about some of our different activities at Parkside, along with what we believe. 

Each completed entry for the colouring competition received a goody bag containing a pen, pencil, stickers, lollipop and balloon – along with invites to Sunday Club and the next Family Service and BBQ.

In addition, we also gave out invitations to our next Family Service and had various Christian literature available, as well as invitation cards for our main weekly services.

Like the last couple of years, the morning was relatively quiet.  There were many activities going on at the main stage and many visitors seemed to just visit the stalls area once they’ve finished their lunch.

Things were busier in the afternoon with a steady stream of children and adults coming along to take part in the colouring competition.

We also had an unexpected visit from a young song thrush who seemed unable to fly properly and hopped around inside the marquee for a while.

It was also good to see Andrew Burdett stop by.  He previously came along, with his parents, to our Mother’s Day Tea, back in early April.  He spent part of his carnival performing on the main stage.

Another welcome treat was a homemade chocolate cake which Paul brought along.  It didn’t last for long after this photo was taken.

At around 5pm, a heavy rain shower forced us to pull everything back inside the marquee.  The weather soon relented and with the crowds beginning to disperse, the stall-holders were taking the opportunity to begin dismantling and clearing things away.

It had been a good day.  We finished the day with fifty entries into the colouring competition and also had lots of people go away with information.  We pray that we will see them return to our next Family Service on July 3rd or to some of our other activities in the future.

Our thanks also goes to Chris Chugg of the Rotary Club for sorting us out such a great location for our stall.  We’ve already decided with him that we’d like the same again at next year’s Maidenhead Carnival!