OSCAR KELLY(aged 8, two Glastonburys) Oscar's parents John and Christina Kelly say: "We hardly left the kid's area the last time we were in Glastonbury. Our greatest experience was when a comedian asked did anyone in the audience have a joke. Oscar, our eight-year- old, got up on stage and asked: 'Why did the koala fall out of the tree?' Answer: 'Because he was dead.' It brought the house down and everyone was chanting Oscar's name. I have always found it very safe for children, as most people at festivals are in chilled-out mode and the general atmosphere is genial."
TRUDIE(aged 6, two Electric Picnics) and NICHOLAS GOODMAN (aged 2, two Picnics and an Oxegen, below left)
Their father Conor Goodman says: “Trudie and Nicholas’s parents are no longer allowed to go to the Electric Picnic without their children, who see it as a paradise of helter-skelter rides, big wheels and puppet shows, with music floating vaguely in the background.
“Last year, once they saw the children’s play area, they refused to leave it for any reason, including food. Their dad works at the festival, so can bring them into the more comfortable backstage world of yurts and non-vile Portaloos, and whisk them away to his offsite hotel before darkness and drunkenness descend on the festival-goers.”
AOIBH(aged 6) and KEELIN COLLINS(aged 4, Electric Picnic, Glastonbury and Lounge on the Farm)
Their father John Collins says: “Before we had kids we were always going to festivals. With Glastonbury, I didn’t think it was fair to dump the kids with the parents for four or five days. The festival is so well set up for kids and there is so much for them to do, so why not? It does make things a little bit more work but it’s well worth it in the end.
“The last time, the kids cried when they were leaving Glastonbury. My advice is that you have to be really patient and realise that you have to take things at their pace. The festivals and age group of those who attend is much more open to families, unlike, say, when I was going to festivals in the 1990s, when they were fairly rough and ready.”
JUDE(aged 7, six Oxegens and three Electric Picnics) and RUBY OGGLY(aged 3, two Electric Picnics and one Oxegen)
Their father Dan says: “Because we’re talking about kids, there is a certain age up to which crowds can be very scary. My son has never really had a problem though and has enjoyed the people and all the sounds coming from all directions. Generally he will go into the tents with his headphones on, listen to a few bands or fall asleep on my shoulders.
“When I think back to the Feile years in Semple Stadium 20 years ago, I think it would have been a lot less fun taking kids there. The food and drink facilities are way better now and the set up is much smoother and easier than it ever has been.”
