Heard about the storm brewing over this year’s cancellation of the Alma Street Fair as we know it? Not only is the wildly popular summer festival Kentish Town’s finest day out, it poses a pretty strong argument for being north London’s best – dare we say most authentic – yearly bash.
Even better, the ten-year-old annual party – supported by every local business that matters, with a brilliantly curated schedule of live music – is totally free to everyone and anyone. And it’s all down to the extreme hard work and dedication of a group of longstanding locals, who live in and around the immediate area.
But this week a decision was made that “there are not enough people involved to run the Alma Street Fair along the same lines as in previous years,” according to the Inkerman Area Residents Association (IARA).
The plan instead? Well, on Sunday 17th July an event will take place that they’re choosing to call Alma Street Fair ‘Lite’.
“We’ll not close streets or move cars,” says IARA’s Debby Hyams, “but residents will be invited to have a stall in their front area. We hope that our local pubs and cafes will host live music, and more stalls; that there will be children’s activities too. There may be space for a communal barbecue.”
Why the downsizing? “It means less work and less bureaucracy, more dynamic and with a more local focus,” she says. “It will not require a licence or street closures, will operate at minimal cost and will rely on those who want to participate doing their own thing.”
But what about the celebratory day that thousands look forward to, which has somehow come to epitomise the unique spirit of Kentish Town? “It is not, and was never intended to be, a festival for Kentish Town as a whole. Some of our residents have not been enthusiastic about its growth, and we have always had to bear that in mind in our planning.”
Festival stalwart Michael Ptootch agrees that the organisers need time out. “I think the Residents Association fancy a break and rightly so, it’s hard work. The new people that have moved to the area are too busy to be doing fun community stuff.”
But if you do want to lend a hand to make it happen, you’ll need to live in the adjoining neighbourhood. “We appreciate the offers of help that are coming in from people outside the Inkerman Area,” says Debby, “but for the reasons given above, we have made a final decision to put on something different this year.”
Still, all may not be completely lost. “I’m chatting to a few people about what we might fling together,” says the ever well-connected Mr Ptootch, “I’ll let you know.”
And while you contemplate all this, here’s something positive: why not put your energies into helping another group of locals raise funds to run Kentish Town Carnival, which hopes to take place in Cantelowes Gardens on 21st of May?
“It will be a public arts event featuring dancers, musicians, and poets, all to celebrate Kentish Town,” says organiser Nina Gebauer. “We want a forum for local artists, film-makers and local businesses too. The event is hoping to attract hundreds of people from across the area, and will feature a parade with wild and wonderful floats, samba band, banners and costumes.”
Kentish Town Carnival aims to provide something for the whole community, with children’s parade, craft and food stalls, live music, choirs and more.
“But funding is tighter than ever and we really want to make the carnival happen,” says Nina. So if you want to help or contribute to this worthwhile community cause, for more details head here.
