Well, colour us shocked – the sun actually showed up for Hope Festival on Saturday, 14th June! After a solid week of rain and soggy school runs (for some of the Funky Punky Team), we were genuinely not expecting the skies to be blue and no drizzles in sight, even if it was a little humid. But oh, it made the day much more magical.
Andrea Funky Punky and Cher Funky Punky arrived bright and early at 9 am, ready for their 10 am start… or so they thought. Before they'd even finished setting up their brushes and glitter pots, a familiar little voice popped up with the first request of the day: “Can I be Spiderman, please?” The classic. Spidey is an honorary member of the Funky Punky team at this point.
And from that moment on, the queue did not stop. Honestly, they didn’t get a break all day. Just how they like it! The kids were full of energy, imagination, and some seriously quirky requests. Unicorns, mermaids, rubber ducks (a first for Cher!), and a wild variety of magical creatures, they just had to freestyle on the spot. Footballs were surprisingly not requested this year (last year they were everywhere), but Cher was buzzing with her debut duck design.
Andrea had a full-on mirror moment when a little one saw their “Stitch” face and just lit up. That kind of joy? Priceless. These are the moments that make our tired feet and paint-covered clothing and hands (everything really) so worth it.
We shared our tent with the lovely Nadean from Club Kombat, who were total lifesavers, keeping the kids entertained while they waited in the (pretty long) queue. Honestly, having them there added such a fab vibe to the day. We’re always grateful for fellow entertainers who bring the fun and ease the wait time!
To top it off, Cher was gifted the sweetest little Hebe plant by a kind lady! A simple gesture that meant the world. It reminded us that yes, we focus on making kids sparkle with glitter and colour, but it’s the quiet kindness and unexpected friendships that truly make us shine.
We left that day sticky, sweaty, and buzzing from all the magic. Hope Festival, you were a dream, and we cannot wait to spend this magical day with you again next year!
