‘I can’t wait to be squashed into the middle of a crowd again’

The days are getting longer, temperatures are rising and most importantly; festival dates are back in the diary.

Once the government revealed the UK’s roadmap out of lockdown, there was hope in the air and we were able to cautiously picture a somewhat ‘normal’ summer ahead of us. For Bristol, this meant that festivals including Love Saves the Day will be going ahead as planned in September.

The only thing I’ve had in my calendar for weeks now is the Tesco delivery so despite the inevitable uncertainty surrounding future events, having Love Saves the Day staring back at me from my phone’s calendar is definitely enough to keep optimism high during the final weeks of lockdown.

Festival season in Bristol will always be my favourite time of the year. We’re a city famous for it. From the Balloon Fiesta to St Paul’s Carnival, the streets are always pounding and you know that you’ll discover new corners of the city whilst exploring the many events hosted.

For the majority of lockdown, I saw no further than a mile or two from my doorstep. There were only so many times I could trudge around the Downs with my parents, dreaming of a time when instead of jumping into the road to keep a two-metre distance between strangers, I would be squashed between them trying to get to the front of a stage.

For a city that usually offers so much in the summer months, last year provided a strange pause where the most we were able to be excited about was enjoying Eat Out to Help Out.

I like to think that being a place that offers so much, Bristol may have had a slight identity crisis last year when all festivals were cancelled and we were encouraged to keep our distance.

This year, we’re excited to get back on track and spend our weekends with thousands of others on the streets, in the parks, at the harbourside.

We have a few final weeks of lockdown left before we can emerge from our homes and explore parts of the city we may have forgotten.

To walk into Eastville Park with thousands of other people, queuing for portaloos and a drink is exactly how I picture my afternoon at Love Saves the Day. Marching over the Suspension Bridge to get to Ashton Court with the rest of Bristol is how I hope to spend the Balloon Fiesta.

Dancing on the crowded streets at St Paul’s is how I want to remember this year’s carnival.

Festivals are a core part of the Bristolian identity. We are a city that has a full calendar, world-famous events and love celebrating everything from balloons to beers.

Summer 2021 is when we can come together and reclaim our collective identity as the UK’s coolest city.

Whether you’ll be at Love Saves the Day or the many other options that will hopefully be on track for this year, I hope you’ll be as pleased as I am when squashed into the middle of a crowd, surrounded by friends with drinks being spilt all over you.

Safiya Bashir is Bristol24/7’s Editorial Assistant. Main photo: Love Saves the Day

Read more: Love Saves the Day confirmed for 2021