SOHO FESTIVAL 2010- It's top-class entertainment - Get set for an event that's in its 36th year! Sunday July 18 from 12 noon

Published: 16 July 2010
by JAMIE WELHAM

ALL eyes will be on Soho this weekend St Anne’s Gardens hosts the biggest knees-up in the West End – the Soho Festival. 

And there’s good news on the weather front, with the inclement skies of the past week set to disappear, bathing the gardens in glorious sunshine for a fun packed afternoon on Sunday. More than 1,000 people, young and old, are expected to put on their party outfits and descend on Soho to attend the extravaganza – now in its 36th year – which kicks off at noon and runs into the early evening.

In keeping with tradition, long time favourite festivals Dick Laurie and the Elastic Band will headline, along with other top acts including jazz pianist Kenny Clayton.

As always, even those with the lowest of boredom thresholds will be catered for, with billboard bands, an array of mouthwatering food stalls and top class children’s entertainment.

Bands will be accompanied by a circus-like procession of clowns, unicyclists and balloon contortionists, as well as some of the festival’s more unusual attractions.

Leave your white shirt or frock at home, dig out a giant bib and sneak some condiments into your back pocket because the spaghetti eating competition is back. Think Tramp rather than Lady, but then was eating spaghetti ever really that romantic? Then there’s the traditional (answers on a postcard if you know why), lung-busting alpine horn blowing competition. As far as we know, there isn’t a field of mountain goats in W1, so there shouldn’t be a stampede – although you might want to bring some ear muffs. 

There’s also the “paint a parrot” competition with a bonus prize if you can teach them some new words. And for those feeling a little more sporty there is the return of the tug of war competition. Also, keep your eyes open for everybody’s favourite drag queen, Ruby Venezuela.

That’s the enter­tainment sorted, but with all that activity, there’s bound to be some hungry people about. 

The good news is there will be a sizzling barbecue catering to meat lovers and vegetarians alike, as well as food from local restaurants, and a fully stocked bar. 

Thanks to some good work by the Soho Society, the garden boasts a massive picnic table, so there should be enough room for the spread. Fiona Rhys-Jenkins Bailey said: “As always it’s going to be a great day. We are very pleased to have the tug of war back. It was always a favourite. We want everyone to come down and a have a great family day of fun.”

The festival initially started as the Soho Fair in the 1950s. The Soho Society took over the running of the event in the 1970s to fight controversial developments.

• The Soho Festival is on Sunday July 18 at St Anne’s Garden, Wardour St, W1,
from 12noon-6pm. There’ll be plenty of music to help the day go with a swing – and don’t miss everyone’s favourite drag queen, Ruby Venezuela (pictured)