Students will be showcasing their talents and getting everyone into a festive mood at their second family Winter Fest at Richard Taunton Sixth Form College in Southampton.
The free to enter festival, on November 25 at the college’s Hill Lane campus, will be attended by Southampton Mayor Valerie Laurent and will feature craft stalls, food, and festive activities for youngsters as well as the performances by the students and visiting musicians.
Last year more than 700 visited the festival. This year for the first time some college departments will be represented and will be running free activities for all ages to give prospective students and their families a chance to see what Richard Taunton has to offer.
Among the main attractions will be performing arts students showcasing extracts from the college’s Christmas pantomime, Dick Whittington. Music students from Richard Taunton will be performing contemporary rock and indie classics with a festive flavour and there will also be choirs from local schools as well as performances by Emjay Dance Academy and Pickup Dance Academy.
Southampton Arts Society will also be exhibiting its work.
There will be sports demonstrations, activities, an art and craft area, and a raffle with a star prize of a Nintendo Switch, donated by Frost Creative design agency in Southampton.
Richard Taunton Principal and Chief Executive Officer of the Lighthouse Learning Trust Angela Berry said: “All of our staff and students are really excited about this chance to show off what we do here and have been working really hard to prepare for the festival. We can’t wait to welcome families, friends, neighbours and stakeholders.
“We are very proud of the college and the tremendous achievements of the students and we have some tremendously talented performers who are going to put on a great show.”
The festival will offer a chance for some early Christmas shopping with 15 craft stalls offering jewellery, decorations, art, toiletries, clothing and beauty products.
Street food, including vegetarian and vegan options, will be available, alongside sweet snacks, hot drinks and mince pies.
Mrs Berry said: “We’ve had tremendous support from the community to help us put on this festival, including from Frost Creative and Signs Express. It’s an excellent opportunity to show off everything we do here and we are so pleased that this is our second such event.”
The festival runs from 11am to 3pm and entry is free. There will be disabled parking on site.
For more details about the festival, or to take part, email winterfest@richardtaunton.ac.uk.