All brakes off for Formula Fun fortnight!

 

A fortnight of ‘Formula Fun’ go kart building excitement will kick off in The Regent’s Park this weekend, where the charity London Play is staging the first in a series of pop-up events for children across central London this summer.

Part of the Mayor of London’s ‘Let’s Do London’ campaign, the Formula Fun fortnight will see teams of children at work in 19 central city locations, building and decorating their own go karts. They will be competing not only on speed, but also on WOW factor; with plans for spectacular themes set to reflect some of London’s most popular and iconic attractions.

The launch event at The Regent’s Park will feature two teams of children building karts on the theme of woodland fairies and Shakespeare, in homage to the park’s famous outdoor theatre. Themes for subsequent events include Carnival Fun, the London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral and the London Aquarium; as well as Elephants and Castles; famous London Markets and British Royalty.

Teams of super-keen children have been selected and are already busily dreaming and planning their karts.  Not all the build sites will be open for the public to watch the karts take shape; but the completed karts will take a lap or two of honour around their surrounding neighbourhoods. Locals, visitors, shoppers and workers are being encouraged to come out and watch the mini-parades to show their support for children who have had their opportunities to play and socialise with friends seriously limited during the pandemic.

London Play director Paul Hocker said:

“Childhood summers are precious, creating golden memories that last a lifetime. After the challenges these kids have faced over the last year and a half, they deserve a summer to remember and that is what our Formula Fun events are all about. We hope local communities and local businesses show their support and celebrate the reopening of our wonderful city and the creativity of the capital’s youngsters.”

The final event will be a four-kart spectacle staged at Spitalfields Market on Sunday 5 September – offering an exciting day out for families. Formula Fun: ‘A la Karte’ will see children decorating their karts on the themes of supporting local eateries: Crosstown Doughnuts, Brother Marcus (Middle Eastern), Players Social (Pizza) and The Duck Truck. It should be a ‘quacker’!

Spectators are welcome at The Regent’s Park event on Saturday 21 August; the London Transport Museum event on Tuesday 31 August; and at the A la Karte grand finale at Spitalfields Market on Sunday 05 September where you can see the children building and decorating their karts.

Unfortunately not all build sites are open to the public but each and every kart will be completing a ‘lap of honour’ around their neighbourhood and audiences are encouraged to come and cheer the children and their creations!

See the full event schedule here.

Formula Fun PR
London Play Press Releases
London Play is one of  many organisations behind a campaign to ensure that every child has the space, time, and freedom to play this summer as Covid-19 restrictions are eased. Can you sign the #SummerOfPlay pledge?
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London is set to become 'Britain's biggest playground' this summer as mayor Sadiq Khan launches a search for five special kids to become London's first Mayors of Play and London Play brings 'Formula Fun' go kart action to the city streets.

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