Get active for free and help us celebrate the closing of the Paralympics

The free fun day, from 12pm - 4pm, offers a range of activities for both adults and children - regardless of age or ability. It is run by Chichester District Council's Leisure and Wellbeing Team.

This year's festival includes the popular play zone, an expanded green zone, a cycle zone, free mini health checks run by Chichester District's Wellbeing Team, and a disability sports zone. The disability sports zone will give both disabled and able bodied visitors the chance to try Paralympic sports. There will also be an emergency services zone, fun inflatables and a mobile climbing wall.

"Our Get Active Festival was developed in 2005 as an Olympic Legacy event and has been granted the Inspire Mark by the London 2012 Inspire programme. It is being held on the same day as the closing ceremony of the Paralympics and so we have increased the number of disability sports on offer for people with or without disabilities to take part in," says Councillor Eileen Lintill, Chichester District Council's Cabinet Member for Leisure, Wellbeing, and Community Service.

"We are hoping that the people of all ages have been inspired by all the great success Team GB has had and will come along and try a new activity. There will even be the opportunity to meet the Paralympic Mascot Mandeville and an Olympic Torchbearer!"

The Inspire Mark programme recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Local arts groups will be involved in the day to help celebrate the Cultural Olympiad. There will also be over 20 different sports clubs from the local community offering free taster sessions. Activities include:

• rugby;
• football;
• rifle shooting;
• martial arts;
• cricket;
• boxing;
• fencing;
• archery;
• golf;
• hockey;
• zumba;
• orienteering;
• tennis;
• plus much more.

Chichester Festival Theatre, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, will also be offering visitors the chance to Access (Almost) All Areas on the day from 11am - 4pm. From front of house trails to backstage tours, and dressing rooms to waiting in the wings, Access (Almost) All Areas is part of Heritage Open Days. The Festival Theatre will open its doors to provide activities for anyone with curiosity for theatre. Suitable for all ages (over 5 years); there is no need to book in advance.

Oaklands Park will also be one of the many outdoor performance spaces across the UK hosting a Bandstand Marathon event on 9 September between 1pm and 5pm. This is a nationwide music day, which aims to encourage communities across the country to come together and celebrate the final day of the Games through a range of free live entertainment.

If you would like further information about the festival, please contact our sport team.

Date: 14 August 2012

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