South Tyneside families bask in sun at first Kids Fun-Fest of the summer

South Tyneside families flocked to the seaside this week to enjoy the first Kids Fun-Fest party of the summer.
Childrens summer parties at the Amphitheatre with Stephen Sullivan and Craig RichardsonChildrens summer parties at the Amphitheatre with Stephen Sullivan and Craig Richardson
Childrens summer parties at the Amphitheatre with Stephen Sullivan and Craig Richardson

The event provides great family entertainment every week throughout the summer holidays.

An enthusiastic crowd of about 200 people, including parents and grandparents, gathered to revel in the laughs from hosts Stephen Sullivan and Craig Richardson as they put on their first party of the season.

Childrens summer parties at the Amphitheatre with Stephen Sullivan and Craig RichardsonChildrens summer parties at the Amphitheatre with Stephen Sullivan and Craig Richardson
Childrens summer parties at the Amphitheatre with Stephen Sullivan and Craig Richardson
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The two entertainers had the youngsters dancing and singing, with a spirited mixture of games and jokes.

Youngsters were also able to vote for which of the duo they wanted to see gunged in the gunge tank.

Host Stephen said: “It was a great day and the kids really enjoyed playing the games to win prizes.

“The kids also win points which means they get to nominate someone to get gunged in the gunge tank!

Childrens summer parties at the Amphitheatre with Stephen Sullivan and Craig RichardsonChildrens summer parties at the Amphitheatre with Stephen Sullivan and Craig Richardson
Childrens summer parties at the Amphitheatre with Stephen Sullivan and Craig Richardson
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“But it’s not just us who get gunged, as the kids can come and get a nomination form throughout all of the shows this summer and nominate one of their parents or grandparents to be gunged!

“We will be playing different games and challenges each week and there are also games for parents to play.

“Me and Craig are also getting a bit of fun competition going between us to get the kids on side to vote for one of us to be gunged. The kids love it.”

Lianne Douglas, 45, from the Lawe Top, was at the party with her daughter Ziva Douglas, eight, a pupil at Westoe Crown.

Childrens summer parties at the Amphitheatre with Stephen Sullivan and Craig RichardsonChildrens summer parties at the Amphitheatre with Stephen Sullivan and Craig Richardson
Childrens summer parties at the Amphitheatre with Stephen Sullivan and Craig Richardson
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She said: “It’s been a brilliant day, and it’s lovely that the sun has come out for it.
“We thought we would just come down as see what was happening and it’s great that events like this are free for families to enjoy.”

Mum Kirsty Chater, 40, from Oxfordshire, was enjoying the event with her two sons Alex, six, and Isaac, four, along with her niece Kasie Tweine, five, on a family holiday. She said they love coming to South Shields to enjoy events like this.
“It is brilliant,” she said.
“This is the second time we have come to South Shields and we love that there are events like this along such a lovely coastline,

“The weather is great and the kids have really enjoyed it.”

South Shields grandmother Catherine Lowson, 60, a mental health nurse, was with her three grandsons, James Jobes, one, Owen Wilson, eight, and Luke Jobes, five.
“We had a lovely time,” she told the Gazette.

Childrens summer parties at the Amphitheatre with Stephen Sullivan and Craig RichardsonChildrens summer parties at the Amphitheatre with Stephen Sullivan and Craig Richardson
Childrens summer parties at the Amphitheatre with Stephen Sullivan and Craig Richardson

“I think it is excellent that the council puts on events like this to get the kids out during the holidays. I think they are doing a really good job.

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“It is so nice that such an event is held along our beautiful coastline.”

Every Tuesday and Thursday, from 2-4pm, the council is providing free family entertainment, with a range of acts on Tuesdays, and the weekly kids party hosted by Stephen and Craig every Thursday in August.