It's going to be great at Víðistaðatún on 27th July, and there'll never be any more events.
A giant tent with a snowstorm, Páll Óskar, VÆB and a lotus tent with sound healing await guests at the Kátt children's festival, which will be held in Víðistaðatún on 27 July. The programme is packed and there have never been more events.
Lots of fun in Víðistaðatún for many hours!
A giant tent with a snowstorm, Páll Óskar, VÆB and a lotus tent with sound healing await guests at the Kátt children's festival, which will be held in Víðistaðatún on 27 July. The programme is packed and there have never been more events.
Jóna Elísabet Ottesen and Valdís Helga Þorgeirsdóttir are the founders of the children's festival and are at the helm with a strong team. This is the fifth time the festival has been held, but the first time in Hafnarfjörður — five years since the last one. The reason is that Jóna was involved in a serious car accident and is now confined to a wheelchair. She says the feeling of getting the festival up and running again is absolutely fantastic.
„Yes, it's a brilliant project, I'd say,“ she says, laughing lightly. „It's a passion project that was really taking off just before the accident,“ she says, and now it's airborne again.
A packed schedule for the family
Various workshops and major entertainers will grace the festival. In addition to Páll Óskar and VÆB, Lalli the Magician will be on the main stage. There will be a jam session on the small stage and all sorts of workshops will be on offer for the children. Valdís lists the main attractions on offer.
„For example, a DJ workshop, a songwriting workshop with Bergrún Íris, rhythm and lyrics with Hrafnkell from Agent Fresco and Steinunn from AmabAdama. The list is long,“ she says. „Yes, preparations are going well. It's drawing near, there's a lot to do in the last few days before the festival,“ says Valdís.
Jóna says that a huge amount of work, organisation and stress are involved in the preparations. She was aware of that. „Now we're tying up all the loose ends. It's come to that time which has been the most stressful in previous years. I wasn't sure if I could get back into the project, knowing about all the balls you have to juggle. But it's gone so well,“ she says.
„We've got some brilliant girls on the team, a real bulldozer, and it's amazing to see the festival finally become a reality. I don't think there's ever been a festival as brilliant as this. Everything we dreamed of is coming together, and there's a massive buzz.“
Thousands of visitors expected
Valdís says thousands of guests have attended the event throughout the years. 1,500 in the first year, and then around 3,000 each of the following years. „We're expecting the same number this year and hope the weather gods are on our side. But if it rains, we hope people will put on their wellies and come along, because it's so much fun and people are so pleased with the initiative,“ says Valdís.
The festival was previously at Klambratún but is now at Víðistaðatún. „This is a passion project for all of us, run on the strength of grants and volunteers.“
Valdís says Víðistaðatún is a good fit. „We received such a warm welcome from the Harbour Master's Office. We were very well received. It's a fun and lovely field that suits the festival perfectly.“ Jóna agrees.
„This meadow is a perfect fit for the project; being able to have this beautiful nature all around. The main new thing is that we are now focusing on accessibility for wheelchairs and walking frames. It's easy at Víðistaðatún.“
The festival from 11-16 on 27th July
The festival runs from 11 am to 4 pm and is suitable for everyone from infants up to the age of 13. „Entry to the stage area is free for 0-3 year olds. We will have a changing tent for the youngest group,“ says Valdís, adding that tickets can be found at miðix.is.
„We keep the mid-range weather in check. You can buy a family package and get a better deal. The area is fenced off to ensure the safety of children. Adults are welcome with the children,“ says Valdís, smiling, as the aim of the festival is for the whole family to have fun.