Big Chill Festival

I organise the Kids Area at the Big Chill - and have since they first arrived at Eastnor. The first year I had a tent round the back of nowhere so I spent the whole time wandering the site in my Wizards gown and hat. There was a stand selling juggling equipment next to me. He was really fed-up! Just us in the middle of a field.
The second year I had a tent next to the second main stage. I spent three days, 11 til 5 entertaining hundreds of children and their parents on my own! Why do I do this!!!
The third year I got a small budget. The best moment was trying to do a show that was not meant to be mime, though that, in effect is what it became. Not quite the band I expected at this super Chill, absolutely soooper festival for Suits - The Wurzels. Just about everyone at the Chill crammed into the second field to shout and stomp there way through 'Rolling in the Clover' and 'I am a Cider Drinker' for an hour.
Each year the budget has increased and the area has become very very popular. Often 500 children and families are involved. Last year there was a wonderful moment when some band or other went into a quiet phase of meaningful sounds in mid-afternoon. At that point Punch had just happily clouted Judy and was shrieking 'That's the way to do it!'. Cue for man storming across from the sound stage warning us to be quiet or else!! Children, eh/
'Twas ever the same. Be seen but not heard!!
I decided to provide entertainment for each age group and each humour. Sanguine (lots of energy, but have a problem directing it), choleric (a doer and a leader), phlegmatic (self-content and kind and shy), and melancholic (highly creative but easily depressed).
So we have areas of creativity, of quiet and activity, academic and arty, play and watch.
We have a wonderful craft area making masks, a giant wicker animal, withy wavers, and a paint wall. This is done by Carnival Arts Group (that's Leo and Becky et al - though I've yet to meet al).
Puppet shows and Punch & Judy from Puppetree are fabulous. Many puppet shows do not have engaging people doing it - but they do! Really nice people - Brian does the booth and Judy is outside encouraging, doing the oohs and aahs. They also have a portable booth and introduce themsaelves and the puppets before they start. Highly professional.
We had Science Boffins there last year. I'm not sure the guy knew what he had let himself in for - but the kids loved him. I just loved the nonchalance when he said 'Oh. Good. I see you've tied my shoelaces together!!'
Rocking horses! Kids need time out and these are so popular. The 3 star Rocking Horse Company also bring hobby horses and swing boats.
Elzapoppin does quick fire face painting. Trying desperately not to let the queues build up too much. Ellen and Ruth do faces and arms - kids and grown ups!
Miss Wonky has giant games for families to play - from twister to snakes & ladders, quoits to hopscotch. She also has a colouring in session at lunch time.
Wizard Wonky does his usual inept magic show and I also finish the day with a massive Balloon Chaos session. Dozens and dozens of pumps are handed out, many hundreds of ballons and within seconds everyone is shown how to make their own balloon animals.
Lastly we wander the field with all the children and their parents, waving everything they've made during the day.
Mr Doo runs the circus tent. Everyone just HAS to learn how to juggle, or spin plates, or use the diabolo ...
So that's an advert for the Big Chill - and me! Do you need someone to get together a Kids Area?
I've no idea what the festival is like - I'm always too knackered by six o'clock!