Botanic Gardens Family Fun Day in Southport returns with even more attractions to enjoy

Families will be able to enjoy a huge array of entertainment when the second Botanic Gardens Family Fun Day takes place in Southport!

The fun, free family spectacular takes place at the park between 10am and 4pm on Sunday 18th June 2023 – Father’s Day – at the historic park in Churchtown.

Thousands of people of all ages enjoyed last year’s stunning carnival with this year’s event due to be “even bigger and even better” with new attractions for visitors to enjoy.

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

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.

“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.

“There will also be zorbs from iZorb UK.

“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.

“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.

“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!”

Jess and her team of supporters have been inspired to organise the Botanic Gardens Family Fun Day for a second year as part of a continuing campaign to improve the park.

She said: “We all want to make the Botanic Gardens better for everyone to enjoy, and to make it safer for all.

“We want to do all we can to bring the local community together.

“We are making a case to Sefton Council that the Botanic Gardens deserves more funding to improve it.

“Staging events like this, where the council can see the huge support that the park enjoys, helps with that.

“There are a lot of parks across Sefton shouting for more funding, and we have to show why this one deserves support.

“The best way for us to stand out and to secure any improvements is to show how much the Botanic Gardens is loved, is wanted, and how much enjoyment local families get from it.”

All the stalls and attractions are now full, with a waiting list for both.

One thing needed however is people willing to help out on the day.

Jess said: “We need more volunteers! Could you give even a couple of hours to come down and help?

“We’d love to see people come and do something for the local community, with the added benefit of seeing lots of families having a really fun day while they are there.

“If you would like to know more, please message me via Facebook.”

• 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.