In addition to all the fantastic music that North Yorkshire’s Deer Shed treats us to, the festival also prides itself on its family friendly focus and array of activities on offer for children to enjoy. To get full insight into what the festival experience might be like for under 5s, we thought it only right to ask our very own next generation GIHE gal Orla her own thoughts about spending Saturday at Deer Shed a few weeks’ back..
John McGovern has put to pen what Orla told us, with highlights including face-painting, big caterpillars and Baba Ali…
Mama and Daddy had told me we were going to a festival. I had done a festival day at nursery and I had played guitar, but we had to go in the car to this one. When we got out of the car I had nearly been asleep, but I could hear music from the car park, and there were lots of trees. I got into my cart and Daddy asked: “How are you feeling?” and I said: “GOOD!”. And when he asked “What are you looking forward to doing?”, I said “Going in!”
I got a special wristband – Mama said I had to keep it on the whole time. I could see hundreds of tents when we walked in, and lots of children but some were older than me (I’m three). Daddy bought me some ear defenders and I chose red ones. Then Mama said it was lunchtime, and we didn’t know what to get because there was so many places. But I like golden cheese and chips, so we got that. Daddy says ‘golden cheese’ is actually called halloumi…
We were on our way to the special bit for kids, but Mama said we should also look in the shops, and someone was doing face painting. Last time I got my face painted I chose Bluey, but this time I wanted rainbows to match my dress. I felt really magical because the lady put big sparkly glitter on my face. Then we got to a thing Daddy called ‘Feral Farm’ – it was full of straw. Big kids were building straw in piles and other kids were sliding on it. I threw straw on Daddy and put straw in his shoes – that was my favourite bit. I didn’t want to leave, but Daddy said there was other things to see.
There was a big playground built of wood and kids with tools smashing it, and a field with kids playing football, and a mud kitchen. But I wanted to play in sand; I took my wellies and socks off and stood on the sand, and other girls did too. We found a worm and built him a house. Mama said there was soft play, so we went in the tent to look – I ran up and down and had to balance on it. Then I rode on a big caterpillar. In there, Daddy asked me questions – “what’s your favourite thing about the festival?”, I said “Kids”.
There was a lot of things that we looked at too – a tent with kids doing experiments, and a clown in a big tent. I wish we had more time, but Daddy said we should go and see at least one band. We rolled in my cart back towards the big stage and it started to rain. But no-one seemed sad about the rain. They went into a tent with a big long table and started to dance to some music – Daddy said it was where you could get silly juice, but I’m not allowed to have any yet… All the grown ups and the kids were happy, even when it rained.
We went up a hill near a big wheel that people were riding on and Daddy said “There’s Mari!”. And a lady with white hair like Mama, and a man with a big beard were there (he was Uncle Paul). I showed Paul my Miffy bag and then I ran into a big tent. Me and Daddy played tig, and Daddy said there would be a band on the stage soon, and people started coming in. Daddy asked whether I wanted to hear quiet music or loud music, and I said “Loud!” We stood far back but Daddy put me on his shoulders so I could see. Two boys came out; one played guitar and one sang. It was VERY LOUD like I wanted, and I had my red ear defenders on. It was the best. I wanted Daddy to put me on the ground so I could dance, and my wellies lighted up and then Mama held me, and I danced and danced and danced. And was smiling the whole time. The boys playing guitar and singing were called Baba Ali, and they are my favourite band.
Daddy said we had to go after that because it would be bedtime when we got home. But I got a green t-shirt so I could show people I had been to Deer Shed. When I saw the tents again on the way to the car, I told Daddy that I wanted a tent for next year at the festival. I fell asleep in the car going home and had dreams about music and dancing and straw. I like thinking about the festival and Baba Ali, and I want to go again when I am bigger.
Massive thanks to Orla for telling us about her day at Deer Shed this year – it sounds like she had a wonderful time, and she would definitely recommend it to other children!
You can read our ‘grown up’ reviews of days one and two at Deer Shed a few weeks’ back, with highlights including Los Bitchos, The Go! Team, Picture Parlour and Liz Lawrence. And keep your eyes peeled for some words and photos of Sunday at the festival, coming very soon!
Get In Her Ears 
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