The Friends of Herne Hill Velodrome, in conjunction with the Dulwich Picture Gallery are organising Going for Gold.
Billed as ‘A Party for all the family to celebrate the Olympics’, the event will take place on Sunday 24 June between 11am and 5pm at the Picture Gallery and the iconic Herne Hill Velodrome itself.
Entrance is just £1 per family with a host of great attractions including:
- Vintage bicycle parade
- A talk from 1948 Olympian Tommy Godwin
- Punch and Judy
- Traditional roundabout rides
- Cycle racing at the velodrome
- Music
- Food including tapas, hot dogs, pies, Afro-Caribbean and veggie food
- Giant Sculptures
- Balloon Race
At the gallery, Olympics Cycling Memorabilia from the 1948 London Games will be on display and veteran Olympic star Tommy Godwin, winner of two bronze Olympic track cycling medals, will be give be giving a talk at noon.
The day will be ideal for families with Punch and Judy shows, traditional merry-go-round rides, displays of flying falcons, and ArtPlay fun at the Gallery. Entertainment will be provided by jazz bands and classical quartets from eight local schools playing on the Gallery bandstand. School singers will perform a selection of blues, gospel and classical music in Christ’s Chapel. At 1pm there will be a second velodrome to Gallery parade with children in fancy dress.
Philip Haas’ four gigantic fifteen-foot high sculptures, The Four Seasons, will be on display in the Gallery gardens following their recent dramatic installation.
A major track event being organised by the Brixton Cycle Club – their Super Madison will attract some top racers and is one of Herne Hill Velodrome’s long standing traditions. For those new to cycling or the Velodrome then this is one of the best events in the calendar for families to come and enjoy the amazing atmosphere. The Friends of Herne Hill have also secured the first ever Rollapaluza Youth Championship (participants race against the clock on stationary bikes over short-timed distances), sponsored by the Cadence Cycling Centre, Crystal Palace; Bon Velo Herne Hill and Rapha. The Rollapaluza is free for kids to enter.
There will be a mouth-watering selection of food on offer in the Gallery Gardens, including tapas, hot dogs, pies, Afro-Caribbean and vegetarian food as well as the Gallery’s café and summer favourites such as popcorn, candy floss and ice cream.
A balloon race will finish the day with the release of 1,000 balloons at 4pm. Visitors can purchase a balloon and see how far it flies with the chance to win a prize. Anybody finding a balloon will receive free entry to the Gallery’s permanent collection.
For more information check out the event flyer and go to http://www.hernehillvelodrome.com/racing_events/going_for_gold_open_day/
