As you’ve probably gathered, the Babes love a good party especially one in our own backyard.
So we could be found deep in the throngs at the Cally Festival, a pop-up boutique festival on Caledonian Road, held last Sunday (Jul 3). It was a beautiful day for browsing outdoors and peeps gathered in their hundreds to check out the stalls and attractions lining Cally Rd.
We made our way to the Kids’ Zone, organised by Bemerton Children’s Centre and Kate Greenaway Nursery and Children’s Centre, where there was storytelling, pottery, face painting and crafts stalls managed by the Make Lounge.
We also paused to check out another crafting tent where you could join in with making a giant papier mache octopus. Neither of the boys wanted to get their hands dirty and Ezra was keen to watch the skateboarding so we moved on.
Disappointingly we didn’t see any live skating action, although there was street football and boxing, and a faux grassy knoll where you could chill out and attempt to watch the Wimbledon finals on the rather small, sunlit screens. Dig that new doggy mural!
My favourite part of the afternoon was getting my chops around a sandwich from street food stall Anna Mae’s.
Their Notorious P.I.G., pulled pork in BBQ sauce was really quite tasty and I’d recommend getting it without the bun as this was quite pillowy and frankly muted the meat’s flavour.
With live music from the sound stage and a busking zone, the Cally Fest was a rocking event and one that hopefully will become a regular feature on the London calendar.
More Free Street Parties in July:
Motcomb Street Party, Belgravia SW1 (Knightsbridge Tube), from 5.30-10.45pm (Jul 6)
Bastille Day in Bankside, Southwark SE1 (London Bridge Tube), all day (Jul 14-16)
Whitecross Street Party, EC1 (Barbican Tube), 12-6pm (Jul 23-24)
Almeida Street Party, Islington N1 (Angel Tube), 1-5pm (Jul 31)
