FROME town centre was transformed into the Independent State of Wonderland for Sunday’s market on 5th July, and an estimated 8,000 visitors enjoyed the sunshine and the festival atmosphere.
The soundtrack was supplied by Farm Festival who took over the stage in the Market Place and many traders joined in the Alice in Wonderland theme, making specially themed food and products, decorating their stalls and dressing up in character.
The pop-up village green outside the library acquired an additional croquet lawn complete with flamingos and a Mad Hatters Tea Party hosted by Positive Action on Cancer, Frome WI and SATCO (Saturday Afternoon Theatre Club) who played the parts of the Mad Hatter, Dormouse and White Rabbit whilst Mayor of Frome, Kate Bielby kept her head as the Queen of Hearts.
A fancy dress parade began at Hunting Raven bookshop finding it’s way through the packed market to the village green for a prize giving to the best dressed. The winners were Mick Dunk and Alison Vaas, Sam and Jess Young, aged 9 and Alice Rochfort aged 5, all of who collected a rosette and edition of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ donated by Hunting Raven bookshop.
Market organisers said, “We’re thrilled that Frome and everyone involved in the market embraced our Wonderland theme so whole-heartedly; special thanks go out to Kate Bielby and SATCO for being so game, Hunting Raven for the inspiration and prizes, and PAC and Frome WI for hosting the Tea Party. We look forward to seeing everyone again next month – bring a bucket and a knotted hanky for the return of Frome-on-Sea!”
