Sparks in the Park, Horsham's annual community fun day, back in July 2011, as it celebrated the one-year countdown to the Olympic Games in London. Picture: Jon RigbySparks in the Park, Horsham's annual community fun day, back in July 2011, as it celebrated the one-year countdown to the Olympic Games in London. Picture: Jon Rigby
Sparks in the Park, Horsham's annual community fun day, back in July 2011, as it celebrated the one-year countdown to the Olympic Games in London. Picture: Jon Rigby

Sparks in the Park: Horsham celebrates sports in the build up to London 2012 Summer Olympics

Sparks in the Park in Horsham in 2011, the year before the London 2012 Summer Olympics, was hailed a resounding success after around 15,000 people flocked to the event. Entertainment on offer included have-a-go sports, including the Set4Success Youth Sports Challenge, as everyone celebrated the one-year countdown to the Olympic Games in London as part of a nationwide open weekend.

There were also funfair rides, live music and dance on the community stage, with a spectacular finale featuring the Shout Out Carnival procession involving hundreds of local children and adults. Children’s TV presenter Dave Benson Phillips awarded the prizes for the sports challenge, while Sarah Jane Honeywell from BBC CBeebies’ Mighty Mites entertained excited youngsters from the main stage.

During the morning, around 500 disabled children and their friends and families enjoyed free access to the funfair and other entertainment, and they were joined by Sasha Kindred, one of Great Britain’s most successful Paralympic champion swimmers. The Shout Out Carnival parade also made this Sparks in the Park a uniquely accessible event, as it was organised by Horsham District Council to focus on inclusivity and young people aged ten to 18.