Barking Riverside was full of life on Saturday 6th September as more than 4,000 people came out for this year’s Emerge East festival. The area was busy all day with families, friends and neighbours enjoying music, food, art, nature and activities.
The highlight of the day was a new addition – The Barking Riverside Block Party stage, steered by local collective One Room Live, who helped shape the music programme by spotlighting both local talent and headliners. Performers and DJs kept everyone dancing, and the atmosphere built right through to the evening. Headliner, Capital Xtra host and DJ, Shayna Marie closed the night with an unforgettable moment, stepping off stage to dance the candy with the crowd in the street, as the festival came to a close.
It was great to see a diverse mix of people out enjoying the day – young and old, families, local residents and visitors from all over London. The atmosphere stretched right across the neighbourhood, with kids enjoying the creative activities, parents joining workshops, and friends gathering to listen to music. The Meliora, which was presented by Creative Barking and Dagenham, became a real talking point, with guests stopping to take photos and immerse themselves in the artwork. Food stalls stayed busy all day, and both The Home Cooks (who sold out in record time) and the Emerging Makers’ Market gave people plenty to try, taste and take home.
What made this year special was the feeling. Seeing people talking, laughing, dancing and supporting local traders, showed the true spirit of Barking Riverside; one of connection and community.
By Dominique Yeboah-Jackson, communications executive at BRL
