Thousands of people enjoyed the first ever Far Away Land Festival in Southport, with live performances, dinosaurs, live high flying wrestling, kids characters, inflatables and more to keep families entertained.
The event was staged under blazing sunshine at Victoria Park in Southport on Saturday and Sunday.
CBBC stars Andy and the Odd Socks headline the main stage to delighted audiences, while visitors also enjoyed performances from Roald Dahl and the Imagination Seekers, Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure, Sing Along with the Encanto Sisters, Twisted Tales For Terrible Children by Gav Cross and more.
Jurassic Live brought their life-like dinosaurs for families to admire, with a Tyrannosaurus Rex and a Stegosaurus.
Children enjoyed making LEGO, making crafts, making slime or learning about science, and also bounced on giant inflatables or got the chance to enjoy a Virtual Reality roller coaster ride.
Speaking on Stand Up For Southport, Richard Moore said: “We went to the festival on Saturday, it was really good, both our two loved it.”
Hannah Scott-Foster said: “Andy and the Odd Socks were so so good! Such lovely people waiting afterwards for loads of photos with the kids.”
Writing on the Far Away Land Facebook page, Charlotte Evans wrote: “My little boy LOVED Andy and the Odd Socks and they were lovely and took time to come over and say hello before and after the gig.”
Tim Farmer said: “What a great event! Our little girl loved it! Space enough to play with her friends, but with lots of stuff on too to keep her entertained.
“Andy and the Odd Socks were fantastic! They alone made it worth it. This sort of thing takes a lot of organising. Thank you!”
Denise Hoghton said: “The kids have loved every minute, lots to do and the main stage had some fun acts.
“Would come again.”
Far Away Land also teamed up with autism charity Autism In Motion to create a Calm and Sensory Zone for children who might become overwhelmed and need a little respite from the festival fun.
Visitors also enjoyed a Food and Market Village, with independent stalls providing items from delicious donuts to lip licking Lebanese treats.
This year’s fancy dress theme was to come as your favourite characters from books or TV.
Fancy dress shop Smiffys gave out vouchers to its favourites.
Far Away Land Festival organiser Andy Scott said: “We have been trying to put this event on for the past three years and we are so happy we landed in sunny Southport!
“This is a brilliant new event for the town. We are looking forward to making this an annual festival.”
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