Visitors to the University of Birmingham’s Community Festival can travel the globe in a day and win a free family membership to the University’s iconic new sport and fitness centre.
Each visitor gets a special Around The World ‘passport’ and simply by collecting stamps at each ‘country’ they visit on the Edgbaston campus can enter a draw to win a month’s family membership (two adults and three children).
The event takes place on Sunday, 11 June 2017 from 11am – 4pm. Visitors can be in with a shout of winning the prize as they use their ‘passport’ to record their encounters with the University’s research discoveries locally, nationally and globally, including:
- The ‘Health Tent’ - showcasing the University’s wide range of research across areas including stroke prevention, health promotion and metabolism.
- The ‘Activity Tent’ - giving an insight into the histories and cultures of other countries, as well as a chance for youngsters to don a mortar board for some fun graduation photos.
- The Great Hall – with its grandeur providing a perfect backdrop to science-based activities, including a Planetarium for night owls to explore the beauty of the night sky – in the middle of the day.
The campus will come alive with colourful tents, a main stage and much more as the University opens its doors to visitors. Visitors are asked to register in advance - people can book their FREE tickets.
There are more than 100 FREE events and activities all over campus for the whole family, including the opportunity to:
- Open rehearsals in the Elgar Concert Hall
- Get to grips with Van Gogh in the Barber Institute of Fine Arts
- Meet the dinosaurs in the Lapworth Museum of Geology
- Explore the beautiful botanical gardens at Winterbourne House and Garden
- Be amongst the first to visit the brand new sports and fitness centre - tours will run every 30 minutes and can be booked online
West Midlands-based company Circus Mash will give outdoor performances and workshops, while stilt walkers will be competing with the iconic clock tower ‘Old Joe’ to be the tallest on campus.
Entertainment for all the family on the main stage will include classical ensembles, theatrical performances and bands from student-run label New Street Records. The University Music Society Gamelan Ensemble will deliver hypnotic traditional Balinese music, whilst student flute and saxophone ensembles will entertain young and old alike.
There will be a helter skelter, bouncy castle and soft play area for children, plus traditional fairground style attractions such as Hook-a-Duck and swingboats. Hungry families can treat themselves to food from the farmers’ market and street food stalls.
- The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions, its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers and teachers and more than 5,000 international students from over 150 countries.