lagoonfest is back this weekend

Local legend Fatboy Slim will be back at Hove Lagoon this Saturday, 7th September, as he opens the second festival from the Friends of Hove Lagoon (FoHL). The family festival will be raising money to give Hove Lagoon a new, leafy look, funding new natural plantings around the area to encourage more visitors – of both the people and wildlife varieties! Fatboy Slim, aka DJ Norman Cook, owns the Big Beach Cafe at the Lagoon, which will be open during the festival too.

Now in it’s second year, they’ve got one hell of a family-friendly day planned, with over 50 stalls selling local products (including food and drink, of course), live music from local artists throughout the day, as well as festival guests having the opportunity to have a go at the skate jam and beginner’s skateboard lessons. For water fans, there will be a paddle-board race and any fluff fans at the festival can enter the ‘Coastway Vets Dog Show’ to show off their pooch.

Brighton artists Manic Minotaur and David Allistone (of Exploring Scenes) will be there selling their creations, while the Purple Turtle Therapy Tent will be a sanctuary for treatments too. LagoonFest’s Artist in Residence, Cassette Lord, has painted four boards that will be auctioned off on the day, as he can’t make the party himself. If you’re a fan of the Ginger Pig just up the road, then you’ll want to get involved in the raffle and tombola, as there’s a chance to win dinner, bed and breakfast, as well as afternoon tea at The Grand, Underground Gym membership, signed Peter James books and lots more local goodies.

Any funds raised on the day will be added to the £8,000 they raised last year to help make Hove Lagoon greener through landscaping, whilst also making sure they can maintain it. The space will be designed by Nicholas Dexter, who’s been a Brighton resident for over 20 years and spends a lot of time at the lagoon, working with landscaper Nigel Bowcock to keep it looking lovely. They’re passionate about encouraging people to get closer to nature, we’re looking forward to seeing their work.

Saturday 7th September, 11.00am – 4.00pm; free
Hove Lagoon, Kingsway, Hove BN3 4LX

Photo credit: thebugbar.co.uk