• Festival of Youth - September 11th

The festival, on Saturday 11 September, is free, but entry is strictly by ticket only. 

Organisers from New Forest District Council say young people aged 13-19 who live or study in the New Forest should get in touch as soon as possible to guarantee their place in the fun.

The festival takes place from 12 noon to 10pm at Appletree Court , Lyndhurst and apart from exhibitors and organisers, is a strictly grown up free zone.

• Among the fun activities on offer will be workshops in scratching and music mixing for budding DJs and MCs.
• Inflatable fun and games from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Youth Options.
• Blow up Penalty Shoot Out
• The creepy Ghost Train
• The stomach churning Miami Roller and giant inflatable slide from Coles funfair.
• A fashion show from Brockenhurst College
• Local bands
• Exciting drum workshops from Dadadrum
• A lively performance from Hampshire Youth Dance
  Company.
• Also included will be Asian dance workshops from Art Asia
• Mischievous acrobats from Circo Rum Ba Ba.
• The saxophone group from the Hampshire County Youth Orchestra.
• Highcliffe School Drama group.
• A sizzling steel band
• An inflatable Army assault course.
• Acting workshops from Totton Festival of Drama.
• A chance to learn plate-spinning, juggling, diablo, clowning in a circus arts workshops.

Most of the activities are free or low cost and there'll be food, balloons, glow in the dark items, clothes, jewellery, accessories and nail art on sale. 

Young people taking part will also be able to find out about careers, courses, sports, activities and other services for young people from local New Forest exhibitors such as,

• Connexions
• It's Your Choice
• Forest Youth Connect
• Forest Forge Theatre
• Forest Arts
• ArtSway
• Hampshire County Council Road Safety Team,
• Hampshire Constabulary and many more.

Anyone with something to get off their chest will also be able to bend the ears of several New Forest District Councillors, who'll be ready to answer questions about young people's concerns.

"We want young people to find out more about all the local services and facilities available to them in the New Forest , and to have a fun day out which is designed solely for them," said New Forest District Council Leader Cllr Mel Kendal.

"So get your skates on to book your free tickets as soon as possible, to avoid being disappointed."

To obtain a free ticket for the festival, young people should call the ticket hotline on 01590 646123 with details of their name, age and address, or email their details to youth@nfdc.gov.uk .

Look out for the promotional cards and posters available around the district.

The festival is being held in association with Power FM and is sponsored by Esso and ExxonMobil Chemical.

Anyone who wants to find out more can check out www.nfdc.gov.uk/youth for regular updates on programme and travel information.