With Oakley Fest just around the corner, we sat down with Veronika Toth, the Vice Chair of Oakley Vale Community Centre (OVCC) to get a sneak behind-the-scenes look at the makings of our neighbourhood’s biggest event.
The Oakley Fest takes place on Saturday 4 July at the Oakley Vale Community Centre, from 10 am to 4 pm.
Find out what goes into pulling off our favourite event of summer and what we can look forward to this weekend…
Q: How has Oakley Fest changed over the years to keep up with Oakley Vale?
A: “Our main goal has always been to bring the community together, and that hasn’t changed. But as our population grows and the economic landscape shifts, the event has become an even more vital platform for supporting local life. It is more important than ever that our small businesses, entrepreneurs, and those turning their hobbies into a craft have an easily reachable space to showcase their work and products. Plus, we’ve placed a deliberate focus on our local clubs and groups. With scheduled performances, we help them to put their names out and gather new members, particularly among our younger generation.
We just try to make sure the festival reflects the people who live here. Oakley Vale is home to such a wonderful variety of families, and as long as the event captures that spirit, it’ll always stay relevant.”
Q: Could you share a snapshot of the planning process and what it takes to bring everything together?
A: “It’s a labour of love! We start planning in January, just after lifting our heads from our Christmas events. The biggest challenge is picking a date that works. We always try to look ahead early because there are so many great things happening in our local parks throughout the summer.
Logistics-wise, everything hinges on our trustees and volunteers. We start by reaching out to everyone who helped the year before, and then we brainstorm ideas to keep things fresh and exciting. It’s a lot of meetings, checking off lists, and making sure everyone knows what’s going on. Getting the word out is a huge part of the process, too. We work hard to spread the message through posters and social media, but we also rely on the community to help us spread the news. Whether it’s sharing our posts or telling a neighbour, every little bit of help goes a long way in making the day a success.
We’re a small team of about five or six people this year, and we always love having more hands on deck if anyone wants to join the fun.”
Interested in helping at a future event?
The OVCA team is always looking for friendly volunteers to help make these events run smoothly. If you’d like to get involved, please email theovcc@hotmail.co.uk or phone the Centre on 01536 742054.
Contact the OVCC
Q: If someone is visiting for the first time, what should they do?
A: “Definitely check out the performance schedule. Grab a spot and clap along to the music or cheer on the dance groups. They bring such a brilliant atmosphere and would love the support. If you’re feeling brave and want to join in, don’t be afraid to ask them about it.
Also, if you have a dog, please bring them along. They are more than welcome to join our dog show. And of course, don’t forget to bring some money to treat yourself to something lovely from our local stallholders.”
Q: What are you personally most excited about this year?
A: “I’m really looking forward to the performances. I’m especially excited to welcome CATS to the stage as it’s their first time with us. I can’t wait to see them!”
We can’t wait to see you at this year’s Oakley Fest. Whether you’re coming to support local businesses, find a new hobby, or just enjoy a great day out with your neighbours in the sun, it’s going to be a brilliant time.
To stay up to date, follow Oakley Vale Community Centre on Facebook here.
Last year Oakley Vale celebrated 75 years as a new town at Oakley Fest.
Left: Veronika Toth (second from right) with Town Mayor and colleagues.
