Chelmsford Market to host free ‘Family Fun Day’

Chelmsford Market is hosting a Family Fun Day, with an exciting line up of free entertainment in Market Square on Saturday 10 August.

Free family fun during the summer holidays

Facing a six-week stint of entertaining school-age children can be a little daunting, so the Chelmsford Market team decided to provide a day of free activities to help fill in those blank spaces in your summer calendar!

Entertainment at the Family Fun Day will include a petting zoo, teacups ride and soft play area (suitable for children over two years old), face painting station, interactive street art demonstration, and a treasure hunt through the indoor market. Plus, some VIP guests!

The event is completely free to attend and will take place from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 10 August in Market Square. All entertainment is funded by Chelmsford City Council and Chelmsford For You.

Councillor Donna Eley, Cabinet Member for a Safer Chelmsford, says this event is a great example of the market’s signature community spirit:

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“Chelmsford Market’s management team wanted to provide a free event to thank their customers and hopefully showcase the market to those who haven’t shopped there in a while.

“The market is a great resource and, with the products there being locally sourced and all our traders being independent, it’s the definition of ‘shopping local’ and supporting small business, which so many of us want to do more of.

“Beyond showcasing the market, this will be a lovely event for families with young children that won’t cost a thing to enjoy. What more could we hope for – other than good weather!”

Cllr Donna Eley, Cabinet Member for a Safer Chelmsford

Get to know your local market

The market will be open as usual, so those taking part in the free treasure hunt will be seeking out clues amongst British-grown fruit and veg, second-hand books, locally grown plants, antiques, and all the other treasures Chelmsford Market has to offer!

All treasure hunters will have their name entered into a prize draw to win a hamper, carefully made up by the market’s stall holders.

Love Your Chelmsford’s plans to clean up Market Square

Love Your Chelmsford has an exciting project coming up in Market Square and the team will be at the Family Fun Day ready to share information about this, along with guidance on living a greener lifestyle. From avoiding waste by shopping at your local butcher, rather than a supermarket, to travelling by bicycle or public transport, rather than car, there are lots of changes you can implement to make a difference.

When visiting Love Your Chelmsford’s stall, you’ll be invited to sign up to their ‘5for5 Challenge’ for the chance to win a Ninja air fryer!

Entertainment in the square

Animal Workshops Mobile Zoo will be in Market Square with some cute furry friends, and some slithery ones too! Be sure to stop by to meet their friendly animals and learn more about them.

The Family Fun Day will include a petting zoo, where you can meet furry (and not-so-furry) friends! All images copyright: Animal Workshops Mobile Zoo.

There will be a teacups fairground ride (suitable for ages 2–12) and a soft play area (for ages 2–10) to enjoy throughout the event, as well as free facepainting and body art.

What’s more, local artists Brave Arts and Candy Joyce will be creating a spray-paint mural throughout the day. Guests are invited to join in and help with the painting, in an act of communal creation. The market’s existing Concrete Canvas pieces will provide the perfect back-drop and some inspiration!

Concrete Canvas artworks at Chelmsford Market.

Meet your favourite characters

Members of Essex Cosplayers will be in Market Square throughout the day dressed as your favourite characters, so make sure you grab them for a selfie!

Pops the Penguin, Riverside Leisure Centre’s mascot and a firm favourite with the centre’s young visitors, will also be in the square to say hello!

Join us for a day of family fun and to celebrate Chelmsford Market! Head to Market Square on Saturday 10 August, between 10am and 4pm.