24/03/2021
A-Fest, Andover's Youth Festival returns on May 22nd. Here's how to get involved.
⭐️ PRESS RELEASE ⭐️
A-Fest, the Andover Youth Festival, is back as a live stream is back on Saturday 22nd of May from 11 am to 3 pm. A-Fest showcases opportunities for 5-18 year olds in and around Andover, and invites organisations, youth groups and local businesses to get involved and promote the services they offer to this age group.
Running since 2015, A-Fest has become a flagship event in the Andover calendar, and it is wonderful to have found a way to make sure it continues this year, and beyond. Like 2020, Covid restrictions means that we can not yet hold a physical event in Andover High Street, and so we have adapted and moved online. In 2020 over 500 people watched the event live.
Last year Chat Together organisers Katherine Bird and Catherine Randle worked with Dmitrijs Meiksans, local Member of Youth Parliament, who hosted and ensured the smooth running of the day. We are delighted to announce that he is a part of the A-Fest 2021 team, ensuring that the youth voice still is central to the event.
"Dmitrijs is Unity's youth ambassador and published a thorough report about issues important to the young people of Andover. We will be working to see if our festival can provide some answers to questions raised or help facilitate young adults providing their own solutions," says Cat Randle
As part of making sure that the achievements of A-Fest in bringing people together continues all year, Chat Together are creating a website directory of youth activities that will highlight every organisation in the Andover area.
Dmitrijs said:
"I’m very excited to be coming on board as an organiser, further working on such an important project that is able to, and has, achieved so much and promoted the essential projects and services being provided across Andover for its young people."
Katherine Bird, has been involved in the running of the event since 2016, and said:
“With lockdown and the increase in social isolation amongst young people, A-Fest is a vital tool to bring families and organisations together to make connections, re-establish social networks, and rebuild communities.”
Any organisations wanting to be involved, have a spot on the day, or sponsor A-Fest should email Chattogether@outlook.com. The closing date to participate in this year's festival is April 30th at 5pm.
