Families invited to enjoy return of ‘bigger and better’ Botanic Gardens Family Fun Day in Southport

Organisers are looking forward to this weekend’s Botanic Gardens Family Fun Day. 

Last year’s event was the first ever and was a huge success, with thousands of families enjoying a wide array of attractions on offer. 

This year’s Family Fun Day takes place at the Botanic Gardens in Churchtown in Southport between 10am and 4pm this Sunday (18th June 2023) – Father’s Day. 

It will be even bigger and better than last year, with new attractions adding to what visitors enjoyed last time. 

It is being sponsored by Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery in Southport. 

Organiser Jess Rickers said: “We are really excited about our second Botanic Gardens Family Fun Day and we’d love to see people come out and have some fun, as well as supporting local businesses, local dance schools and musicians, and of course our local park, which we are all striving to improve. 

“The event is free for people to attend, but there will also be opportunities to support the work the volunteers do to maintain the park for all through the sale of programmes and through donations. 

“We’d like to invite people to bring cash along with them as well as 20p coins, which they may need if they need to use the public toilets within the park. The toilets are operated by the Botanic Gardens Community Association volunteers and the 20p coins add up to funds needed to maintain them and keep them open. 

“There has been fine months of hard work by our team to make this happen and we hope everyone enjoys the event. 

“Our event is now full! We are still getting lots and lots of people asking to come with even more stalls and attractions, which we are unfortunately unable to accommodate at this late stage.” 

The event is free to attend but people will be welcome to make any donations to the Make A Change For Botanic campaign group, which is working alongside the Botanic Gardens Community Association to make the park a better place for all to enjoy. 

Event organiser Jess Rickers said: “Last year’s Family Fun Day was fantastic, it was great to see so many people there! We had amazing feedback from the people who came. 

“This year’s event will be fairly similar in style to last year, but it will be even bigger and even better, with more for people of all ages to enjoy. 

“We’ve got so much lined up for our Family Fun Day, including Allday’s Farm, which will be coming for the first time.

There is lots to enjoy at the Botanic Gardens Family Fun Day in Churchtown in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport

“They will be bringing a mobile farm with them so you can get up close and personal with their beautiful animals, which can be petted and fed. 

“Animals will include a Shetland pony and some rabbits. They are coming for the full day. 

“Our bubbleologist was very popular last year, and they will be returning. 

“Last year we had three dance groups performing, this year we will have four: Funky Monkees, Central Dance, The Dance Place and Express Performing Arts. 

“Fairground rides, inflatables and a large inflatable slide will be back, and new for this year will be an inflatable assault course. 

“We have got Golborne Brass Band performing between 2.15pm and 4pm at the Bandstand. 

“People can enjoy food and drink from The Settle Inn, which will be providing things such as a BBQ, ice creams and refreshments, from three venues within the park. 

There is lots to enjoy at the Botanic Gardens Family Fun Day in Churchtown in Southport. Sandgrounder Radio. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport

“Sandgrounder Radio is coming down to provide music on the day. 

“Mighty Radio is coming with their Spiderman mascot, who was so popular with the kids last year. 

“We will have three music performances near the front gates: Yooks, Ukulele Buddies and Southport Stompers Jazz Band, playing between 10am and 1pm. 

“We will be hosting lots of stalls at the park again, with spaces for small, local independent businesses from Merseyside and Lancashire, plus a few charities such as Queenscourt Hospice, Marshside Fog Bell, the Botanic Gardens Community Association and Woodlands Animal Sanctuary. 

“Families can enjoy face painters, glitter tattoos, and hair braiding. 

“Visitors will be able to have a go at a football shoot out. 

“I was conscious after last year that we need to provide more to do for older children this year, which we are doing. 

“We will have someone at the event with birds of prey.

“Hickory’s in Southport will be back again, giving away free tubs of popcorn. 

Local author David Walshe will be selling copies of his new bookEcclesfield – Southport’s Forgotten Suburb at Botanic Gardens Family Fun Day

“Local historian David Walshe will be selling and signing copies of his new book, ‘Ecclesfield – Southport’s Forgotten Suburb’. 

“Donkey rides are back again this year, and Merseyside Police will be there with their van. 

“Sefton Council has paid for extra bins and for some portable toilets on site.

“Programmes with the day’s events, times and locations will be on sale for 50p at the gate and I hope everyone can spare that to join in the fundraising. Every little helps!

“We will no longer have zorbs at the event, as previously advertised, due to the awful accident which happened at Southport Food and Drink Festival earlier this year.” 

Event co-organiser Sammi Rudge said: “There’s so much going on, there really is something for everyone. 

There is lots to enjoy at the Botanic Gardens Family Fun Day in Churchtown in Southport. Spiderman from Mighty FM. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport

“The Make A Change For Botanic group have worked hard over the last couple of years, raising funds to improve the lake appearance, water quality and safety and the Botanic Gardens Family Fun  Day is a wonderful way to showcase this beautiful park.

“We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow.”

• The Botanic Gardens Family Fun Day will be held at the Botanic Gardens, Churchtown, Southport, on Sunday, 18th June, between 10am and 4pm. It is sponsored by Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery.

• Would you like to help the campaign to improve the Botanic Gardens in Churchtown in Southport? Please join the Make A Change For Botanic Facebook group here.

Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com