THIS weekend is the grand finale of the Purley Festival, with a packed programme of music, food, fun and children's activities due to entertain visitors to the Rotary Field.
More than 100 events will have taken place since last weekend by the time dance band The Come On People take the stage at 7pm on Sunday.
The community-run festival continues today (Friday) with events including a networking breakfast at the Hilton Hotel in Purley, a talk about the wartime history of the Crystal Palace, and big band night at The Jolly Farmers pub in Purley.
On Saturday and Sunday, the Rotary Field, in Brighton Road, will host more than 20 musical acts across three stages, while children can have fun in a special kids' zone featuring kung fu classes, theatre, netball, singing and masses more.
Among the musical acts will be the Purley Oaks school choir, roots band Brothers Of Mothershovel, soul act Florieme, ukulele players the Marauders, and soul musicians Trambeat.
Other attractions on Saturday and Sunday will include Fascination Street Entertainment, billed as an "interactive circus experience", and Noisy Toys – who experiment with sound often using unexpected instruments including vegetables.
A festival market including Caribbean, Mexican, Indian, Malaysian, Thai, Chinese and Nigerian food will be available, alongside burgers and a hog roast.
The Croydon Advertiser will be hosting a stall – come and say hello – alongside other locally active groups such as Sutton Community Farm and Coulsdon Yule Fest, organisers of the Coulsdon Christmas festival.
Founded in 2011 by Purley residents including its director Fiona Lipscombe, the Purley Festival typically draw's crowds of thousands to the weekend finale.
The festival was formally opened by Croydon mayor Manju Shahul-Hameed on Monday, with pre-events last weekend including a swing dance class and classic car show.
Suggested donation for entry to the Rotary Field, next door to the Christ Church school's playing fields, is £2.50 for adults, £1 for children up to 15, babies in arms and buggies, free.
