Ilford Town Centre unveils plans for 17-day Olympic party

by Zjan Shirinian, News Editor Tuesday, July 3, 2012
11:29 AM

Cheering spectators will enjoy music and dance in Ilford Town Centre during 17 days of Olympic sport as they watch athletes going for gold on two giant screens.

Musicians from Redbridge Music Lounge will perform throughout the Games while street dance workshops, Bollywood dancing, street entertainment and a food festival will turn the pedestrianised area of the town centre into a thriving spectator venue.

Two giant 20sq m screens will be erected on the clock tower near Redbridge Town Hall, broadcasting BBC One’s coverage of the Olympics, and hopefully a glut of British success.

On July 27, the day of the opening ceremony, flying acrobats, lively vegetables and a man who turns into a fountain will visit the town centre.

The Showtime event, part of the Mayor of London Presents, will run from 3.30-9pm, the start time of the opening ceremony in Stratford.

The Bureau of Silly Ideas troupe will come dressed as acrobatic road workers while the Vegetable Nannies’ interactive show, including a cast of vegetable characters, will help children to learn about their greens.

The events have been laid on by Redbridge Vision, which runs leisure services in the borough, in partnership with the Ilford Business Improvement District (BID).

BID project and programmes manager Steve Miller said: “When we sat down in August/September to come up with a plan, we wanted to make sure that residents, visitors and even businesses in Ilford remember not only the 2012 Olympics in London but how they were able to celebrate the Olympics in their own borough.”

A food festival close to the entrance of Exchange Ilford is set to run throughout the 17 days, with about 20 stalls boasting everything from paella to Caribbean food and halal.

On the day of the closing ceremony of the Olympics, August 12, a stage will host live acts including four-piece girl band Vida and a finalist from Britain’s Got Talent.

Project Active Ilford has been funded by both Redbridge Council and the BID, which encompasses more than 400 businesses in the town centre.