21 replies to this topic

[WorkingClassPrincess]

Hey all,

I am seriously thinking of going to B&J Sundae Festival later on this month (in Manchester). Without going into too much detail, I suffer with health anxiety and wanted to start off with a small festival before moving onto the bigger ones.

If I do go I will most probably take my 2 year old son. I have looked on the website and it actually seems more for kids than for adults. I've done a lot of looking into it and am very pleased with the kids activities, FREE ice cream and OCS performing. It seems really perfect for me but I wanted to know if it *is* as good as it seems and could you if possible go into details about the different activities there.

Thanks, J

[Homer]

Hi, went to the one in London last year (you are aware that this is the first time it's been held in Manchester?) and I'd say it's perfect for you.

While I wouldn't say it's tiny, it's not exactly crowded and TBH I prob wouldn't go again because I found it a bit tame. Even during Doves (the headliners) we went to the front and there was only one group of about five people who were doing anything other than watching politely while tapping their feet. While I didn't look into the family side of things, there seemed to be a lot of options of that kind around the site (free ice cream and characters walking around in cartoon character style outfits and so on).

It was a very relaxed so I'm sure you'll have a great time!

[WorkingClassPrincess]

Thanks Homer,

I am going to purchase a ticket now for the Sunday !

[Paul ™]

Am working the Manchester one, enjoyed last year at London.

Very family friendly, few good acts and lots of ice cream

[jump]

I've find the fest a bargain for the acts playing and even more so considering the amount of free ice cream I can manage to scoff down.

[danlen]

I'm taking the Wife and boy (8yrs) to London to see OCS and the free ice cream  

Its a chance for the wife to see what a festival is about, her main phobia will be the toilets. So if she does not like these then the larger festivals with be a big no for her

Although after seeing the Foos at MK Bowl on sunday this will seem like a village fete  

[Rufus Gwertigan]

I am off to the Manchester one as well. Although it is the first year for Ben and Jerrys I have been to a few other similar big events at Heaton Park and they have always been really good set ups, with plenty of space to have a sit around away from folk etc. For 17 quid a day you can't go wrong really can you

[HurrahBrother]

Learn from my example.

do not spend all day eating icecream then go and buy a fizzy alcoholic during in the evening!

You will not feel very well at all

It was only one rum and coke, but my god did I feel ill during the doves.

Yes it is sedate, and really aimed at families with kids.

I'd venture, it would be quite civilised if you could take a picnic hamper of goodies in with you.

Edited by HurrahBrother, 07 July 2011 - 07:26 PM.

[rodhull]

Can someone give me a rough idea of what the stage times are likely to be? I want to see Fun Lovin' Criminals, Ash & Ocean Colour Scene. When are they likely to be on? I presume they'll all be on the same stage?

I heard it finishes at about 8pm, and I'm just wondering if I can get over to High Voltage Festival in Victoria Park afterwards to see Slash. MIght have to miss OCS.

[nat2006]

HurrahBrother, on 07 July 2011 - 07:24 PM, said:

do not spend all day eating icecream then go and buy a fizzy alcoholic during in the evening!

You will not feel very well at all

Oh dear, I also make this mistake and later on in the night I was not well. For me it was a mixture of ice cream+cider.Hmm.

Anyways, I have gone for the past 4 years, and it is very family friendly. Took my neice (2 years old) last year and will again this year. They have lots of family things, magicians, a kids area with lots of toys, animals to pet etc. It is all very nice and civilised.

Most families bring a nice picnic blanket, you can bring all your own food, which obviously you have to if you have children.

This is only my London experience but I am sure Manchester will be similar. You and your children will really like it.

Edited by nat2006, 17 July 2011 - 05:26 PM.

[wren44]

I'm a little bit worried as the tickets say they are non-transferable and we have just phoned the enquiries line and they told us you will have to have proof of ID that matches the name on the ticket or you must be with the person that bought them - otherwise they will refuse entry! This seems a bit ridiculous as I bought my ticket from my friend who can no longer go...surely they will not be able to enforce this on 25,000 people? Any one go last year with this kind of situation?

[Rufus Gwertigan]

wren44, on 22 July 2011 - 01:20 PM, said:

I'm a little bit worried as the tickets say they are non-transferable and we have just phoned the enquiries line and they told us you will have to have proof of ID that matches the name on the ticket or you must be with the person that bought them - otherwise they will refuse entry! This seems a bit ridiculous as I bought my ticket from my friend who can no longer go...surely they will not be able to enforce this on 25,000 people? Any one go last year with this kind of situation?

Can't you borrow a bank card or something? When the tickets are bought online they clearly state that ID (like a bank card, something with name on) must be produced in the name of the person purchasing the tickets. So a group of people all go in together with just the one person needing proof.

[sandog]

have to forgive me but never been on one of these things in my life ! just wondering if you can take a picnic and alcohol into this festival as me and a couple of friends plus wifes going to the sunday ? wouldn't like to take some and end up chucking it away outside

[Rufus Gwertigan]

sandog, on 22 July 2011 - 05:51 PM, said:

have to forgive me but never been on one of these things in my life ! just wondering if you can take a picnic and alcohol into this festival as me and a couple of friends plus wifes going to the sunday ? wouldn't like to take some and end up chucking it away outside

I read on their Facebook. Food - Yes. Alcohol - No. T&C's say no glass bottles, cans or alcohol.

I'm taking a picnic but if it is as much free ice cream as I fat face can eat I don't think I will need anything else.

Edited by Rufus Gwertigan, 22 July 2011 - 06:09 PM.

[sandog]

Rufus Gwertigan, on 22 July 2011 - 06:08 PM, said:

I read on their Facebook. Food - Yes. Alcohol - No. T&C's say no glass bottles, cans or alcohol.

I'm taking a picnic but if it is as much free ice cream as I fat face can eat I don't think I will need anything else.

thanks very much rufus , probably saved us a few quid !

[rollergirl]

Looking forward to making a quick stop in Manchester on Sunday to see OCS before heading to Camp Bestival :-D

Have a good one folks!

[davidames100]

What a weird festival. More like a village fete with relatively big acts playing. I enjoyed it but not sure I'll go again. I knew it finished at 8, but it was still really strange when it happened, that's when others usually get going! Had five free ice creams so it was good value all in all.

[Cactusgirl]

Well I went to both days in Manchester and LOVED it.  Yesterday went without baby and today took 14 month old.  Different experiences but both good.

Very well organised, extremely family friendly, Could not believe the set up for the ice cream!! Unbelieveable I knew it was all you can eat but had not realised quite how it would work etc.

Yesterday was a lot quieter than today - really hope it is held in Manchester again next year.

Yes it was tame compared to other gigs/festivals but that was what was so nice about it.

Edited by Cactusgirl, 24 July 2011 - 08:22 PM.

[onemangang]

i worked at this festival on the bar at heaton park and it was great. the weather, the ice cream, the family atmosphere.

the only thing that i don't like for me is the sound quality. it was the same a few years ago for the oasis gigs, its just not right. the sounds seems to swirl around in the air and if your not right at the front it can be slightly poor. if i compared it to the likes of reading or hop farm (i understand they have been going allot longer) it needs some improvement, especially with the local council now planing to do allot more of these type's of festivals and one day gigs in heaton park.

[Rufus Gwertigan]

onemangang, on 25 July 2011 - 02:24 PM, said:

i worked at this festival on the bar at heaton park and it was great. the weather, the ice cream, the family atmosphere.

the only thing that i don't like for me is the sound quality. it was the same a few years ago for the oasis gigs, its just not right. the sounds seems to swirl around in the air and if your not right at the front it can be slightly poor. if i compared it to the likes of reading or hop farm (i understand they have been going allot longer) it needs some improvement, especially with the local council now planing to do allot more of these type's of festivals and one day gigs in heaton park.

Totally agree on the sound. I could hardly hear Ash when I was at the back. I do wonder if they have to keep the volume down. The whole site could have done with been moved a bit to the left as you look at the main stage as the ground to the right was a little boggy and uneven. We did leave just after 7pm as well as we knew the Metro was going to be horrendous (it still was)

End of the day, £17 and I managed to make myself sick on ice cream, so all in all not bad.