Get ready to party, Fishponds!

FISHPONDS' biggest free party is back this month.

Schedules have been fixed, stalls booked and prizes donated for the big fundraising raffle at this year's Party in the Ponds, which is on Saturday June 17 from noon until 9pm.

Last year the volunteer-run community event was staged for the first time since the pandemic, in a new home at Vassalls Park and at an unfamiliar time of year, early September.

This year it is back in its traditional slot on the weekend before the Glastonbury Festival, with extra space allocated at Vassalls Park for the performers and 85 confirmed stalls.

Headlining the main stage is Bristol-based reggae artist Da Fuchaman, who is returning to play at the event for a third time.

Other musicians on the main stage include Riff Raff Choir and the Raff Pack Choir, Bristol Pop Orchestra, Thomas Heppell Blues and an Elton John tribute band.

Karen Swan headlines the Performance Stage, with other acts including Freestyle Dance, 344 Dance School, Sublime Dance Troupe and Stuart Irish Dance.

The stalls include an array of arts and crafts, handmade jewellery, vintage clothing, bath and body treats, children’s games, a tombola and the Party in the Ponds raffle, which has dozens of donated prizes from local businesses, from booze, meals out and chocolate to haircuts, treatments and tattoos. There are 12 food vendors on site, offering food including Mexican and Indian cuisine, burgers and doughnuts, as well as alcoholic and soft drinks.

Some stalls will be cash-only.

People coming to the event can also bring their own picnics, but are being advised that disposable BBQs are not allowed - a barbecue food stall is being laid on.

Festival-goers are being asked to walk to the event if they can. For those who need to drive, there will be free parking at the Vassall Centre, with a signposted one-way system.

Organiser Vicki Stoneman said: "Our ethos and complete drive behind this event is to provide something for everyone, whilst showcasing the wonderful talents of Fishponds.

"We really hope as many people in and around Fishponds as possible can come and enjoy our incredible event.

"This year, we have scaled everything up to create the most enjoyable event to date.

"We have a jam-packed line-up of musicians, performers and dancers, as well as so many stalls, food and drink vendors, which really highlight just how incredible Fishponds really is!"

More volunteers are still needed for roles including parking control, helping with the entertainment and providing support for the stalls.

Anyone interested in helping should email partyintheponds@gmail.com.

ARTISTS hoping to build an outdoor gallery in Eastville Park say they are growing increasingly frustrated at an 18-month wait for a decision from the city council.

Guglielmo Ardizzone and partner Tamara Garofalo, who live in Fishponds, submitted a project for a "sustainable art space" on the old bowling green between the Nissen Hut and children's play area at the end of 2021.

They planned to set up an outdoor gallery, using recycled materials and solar power, to provide exhibition spaces for artists and art fairs, with marquees or gazebos providing cover from the rain and the possibility of adding repurposed shipping containers as temporary indoor workshops.

The project was one of eight which passed the initial stage of the council's Future Parks initiative to allow outside charities and businesses to run facilities in Eastville Park.

However, since receiving a confirmation email early last