A-Fest is returning virtually for a second year in May as Andover’s youth festival plans its 2021 incarnation.

Over 500 people watched the virtual youth festival in 2020, and organisers are hoping for similar numbers, or more, this year.

Organiser Katherine Bird said the event, to be held on May 22, is an important way of bringing young people together during the pandemic.

She said: “With lockdown and the increase in social isolation amongst young people, A-Fest is a vital tool to bring families and organisations together to make connections, re-establish social networks and rebuild communities.”

A-Fest was launched in 2015, and since then has showcased a range of opportunities for five to 18-year-olds in and around Andover.

Normally, it is a flagship event on the high street, drawing in crowds of young people and their families to find out more from the organisations and youth groups of the area.

In 2020, following the pandemic, the event was first postponed, and then put online, after the outbreak of Covid-19. A variety of music, demonstrations, organisations, and businesses were shown online, with a mix of live streaming and pre-recorded films.

To do this, organisers Katherine Bird and Cat Randle enlisted the help of Dmitrijs Meiksans, the youth member of parliament for North West Hampshire, to assist in the running of the event. Together, the three will also be organising the 2021 festival.

Dmitrijs said: "I’m very excited to be coming on board as an organiser, further working on such an important project that is able to, and has, achieved so much and promoted the essential projects and services being provided across Andover for its young people."

Cat said: "Dmitrijs is Unity's youth ambassador and published a thorough report about issues important to the young people of Andover. We will be working to see if our festival can provide some answers to questions raised or help facilitate young adults providing their own solutions.”

The organisers will also be creating a website directory of youth activities that will highlight every organisation in the Andover area.

Katherine said: “With lockdown and the increase in social isolation amongst young people, A-Fest is a vital tool to bring families and organisations together to make connections, re-establish social networks and rebuild communities.”

A-Fest 2021 will be held on Saturday, May 22 between 11am and 3pm. Anyone who wants to be involved in the event, or to sponsor it, should contact Chattogether@outlook.com. The closing date to participate in this year's festival is April 30th at 5pm.

For more information, visit: https://afestandover.co.uk/