Two days left to save the Rowntree Park Birthday Party

It’s one of the family events of the year – and it needs your urgent help.

The Rowntree Park Birthday Party is a fun day out for all ages, set in one of York’s best open spaces.

But this year it’s in grave danger of being cancelled – unless you can help.

The Friends of Rowntree Park party planners are trying to raise the cash to stage the park’s 96th birthday party on Sunday July 16.

Great new activities

Plans are afoot to include some great new activities, displays, bands and DJs to build on last year’s success and attract even more visitors – but only if enough funds are generated.

But all this takes cash.

And a crowdfunding campaign to raise the £2,259 needed closes at close of play on Wednesday (June 6).

Johnny Hayes, independent councillor for Micklegate Ward, said: “The Rowntree Park Birthday Party is one of the biggest and best community events in York.

“It always provides a brilliant mix of stalls, bands, exhibitions, rides and street food and is a brilliant family day out.”

Zorbing and street food

Among the attractions booked so far this year are a climbing wall and go-carts, live music stages, bands and DJs, zorbing, fairground rides, street and world food wagons, bird and animal displays.

Cath Mortimer, Friends’ secretary, said: “The party is a fantastic event, but organising it is a huge undertaking, with many hours spent on planning and on the day itself.

“A lot of the work is done by the Friends, as volunteers, but there is much which can’t be done for free.

“More than 5,000 people visited the event last year and we really hope that the community rallies together to make it happen again his year.”