The Long Street Summer Social is back, taking place from midday on Sunday, 30 August, in Wotton-under-Edge, the vibrant market town known as the ‘gateway to the Cotswolds’. Despite torrential rain later in the afternoon, last year’s event still attracted thousands to the town.
The one day community event will feature activities like live music, a kids area, food, drinks, vendors and more, all taking place in the heart of Wotton-under-Edge. This year, there are exciting additions to the event, including The Oak Stage in The Royal Oak car park, Long Street Patio, the heart of the vendor and food area on Long Street, and a bigger kids area, held in The Royal Oak garden, with live performances for kids, crafting from Stroud’s Mad About Art, a calm zone run by charity Read With Me, and a closing singalong with kids party performer Eloise.
Last year, the event’s first, saw more than 4,000 people of all ages attend the first few hours of the Long Street Summer Social, despite several showers, before very heavy rain moved in. Despite this, families still had a wonderful time, as did the market traders, with most food and drinks stalls selling out. This year, the event promises to be even better, increasing the parts of the event that worked particularly well, being kids activities, live music, shopping and food and drinks.
“Moving the main stage to The Royal Oak car park and kids area to its garden was a no-brainer,” said organiser Fred Hulls. “There was little to no friction setting up these areas, as we run the pub and its car park. We just wanted more of the best bits from last year; more stuff for kids, more music and more food and drinks. The addition of the Long Street Patio, a central outdoor food and drink area operated by local businesses, will be a wonderful addition to the shopping and food offerings on Long Street.”
Wotton-under-Edge is becoming a major foodie and family Cotswold destination, with a year-round roster full of exciting events, as well as more dining options for locals and tourists. The town’s events calendar includes art walks, a blues festival, a unique Christmas event and the best Pride march in the Cotswolds. Award-winning restaurants like Good Food Kitchen and the Falcon Steakhouse lead the town’s foodie offerings, with many other pubs and cafes offering high quality food and drinks.
Dr Simon Opher, MP for Stroud, said: “The more time I spend in London as an MP, the more I appreciate local community events like Wotton’s Long Street Summer Social. Last year – in a downpour – was amazing and this year will be better. The team have created something very special with stalls, music, activities and street food in the heart of the town. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Wotton is on the up!” added Hulls. “It feels like we’re watching the rebirth of a town into something really special, and we’re honoured to be a part of it. This April, we saw house prices in our town rise by 7.4%, the highest in the county, and with everything the town has going on we’re not surprised.”
