The Ritherdon Road Street Party

Take to the Streets! Balham’s all singing, dancing, eating, drinking and shopping Ritherdon Road Street Party returns on Sunday June 11th

The annual Ritherdon Road Street Party, sponsored by James Pendleton Estate Agents, returns to Balham with much fanfare from 11am to 5pm on Sunday 11th June. Attendees last year absolutely loved this hugely revitalized event: “A fantastic spectacle and a great community spirit,” said one; “The best one ever!” said another; and from a third: “Ritherdon Road certainly knows how to put on a Street Party!”

This year’s event will be just as good but with even more stalls and entertainment. With the road closed to traffic, local residents and visitors will once again enjoy a fantastic, fun-filled family event in front of this charming parade of boutique independent shops, cafés, restaurants and businesses located between Balham and Tooting Bec.

Free to enter, the Street Party will feature over 60 food stalls, boutique traders and exhibitors. Hunger pangs will be satisfied by streetfood experts such as Chilli Dogs, Hao Hao Chi, Vegan Express, Fish Tales and Halloumi Room; sweet tooths by Escape the Daily Grind, Chocolates by Eloise and Bunting and Pops; and specialist tastes by Brindisa, Peruvian Seafood Cocktails and Jerky Fridays, amongst others. Accompanying refreshment will come in the form of the Sambrook’s beer tent, Whirly Wines and lashings of fresh lemonade.

Visitors, their bellies full to bursting, can then turn to browsing the host of boutique market stalls which will be selling everything from flowers to doggy treats, retro sweets to jewellery, roll-up beds to children’s clothes, jams to Turkish towels, handbags to hats and silver gifts to handmade toys. Or they can visit the road’s regular businesses: Quirky Dovetail, Bodean's, Spectrum, The French Café, Dee Light Bakery, Robbie's Photographics and Gallery Midnight.

A professional stage will dominate the Balham High Road end of the street and the acts entertaining the masses will include The Hayward Sisters, Tony Moore, kids entertainers Funky Moves, local rock choir Balhamonics and last year’s sensation, Inspire Ballet & Dance. Elsewhere, the much-loved Minnie the Clown and Ministry of Giggles will be entertaining children with bubbles and giggles, while a funfair ride and visit from the local fire brigade will be triggering delighted screams amongst children and enthusiastic adults alike.

The event has been made possible by the kind support of James Pendleton, Places for People Leisure (Balham Leisure Centre), Hot Yoga South and As Nature Intended.

The Ritherdon Road Traders’ Association, the originators of the event, believe the 2017 Street Party will be just as successful as last year’s: “The sun shining down on traders, neighbours and customers alike. Smiling, face-painted children, full tummies and relaxed parents. What a day! What a day!” recalls Johny of Gallery Midnight. “We do it well on Ritherdon Road.”