Families flock for fun in the sun at Oaklands Summer Fair

ST ALBANS — Sheep racing, donkey rides and a cheeky spin on a hovercraft were just some of the activities families got stuck into at this year’s Oaklands Summer Fair, which was blessed with a blazing day of sunshine at St Albans Campus.

The annual event, which this year drew an estimated 8000 plus visitors, sees the college’s green spaces on the campus in Hatfield Road filled with all sort of activities including a funfair, falconry displays, puppet shows and stalls.

Each College department across the college’s two campuses also hosted an activity, meaning visitors also got the chance to play traditional wooden games, shoot hoops with Oaklands Basketball Sports Academy and get a selfie in the student-built kit car.

Hospitality and Catering were on hand to cook up wood fire pizzas and BBQ treats, with Agriculture students on hand to support Sheep Racing and Sheep Shearing sessions.

Much of the day’s entertainment was delivered by students on the main stage from Music and Performing Arts, with plenty of families laying out on the grass to enjoy the festival vibe.

Visitors also enjoyed the opportunity to take a trip up to the College’s animal management centre to meet with staff, students and some of the animals cared for by the team in Oaklands Habitat and also see special demonstrations hosted in the campus Equine Yard.

The newly appointed Mayor of the City and District of St Albans, Cllr Rosemary Farmer, and Deputy Mayor of Welwyn Hatfield Cllr Roger Trigg also joined the day’s celebrations and met with staff and students across a number of curriculum areas during their visit.

The Mayor of the City and District of St Albans, Cllr Rosemary Farmer, said: “Oaklands College put on a fantastic Summer Fair for the local community to enjoy. Everyone had a fabulous time. I was really impressed with the skills displayed by students and staff specialising in subject areas ranging from Hospitality and Catering, to Agriculture and Animal Management.”

Oaklands Principal Zoe Hancock said: “The Summer Fair is the biggest event in our calendar and it’s one we look forward to.  To see so many people enjoying the day and experiencing the College makes it all worthwhile.”