The groundswell of popular support for Finsbury Park's Rise Festival, cancelled in early 2009 by Boris Johnson was amazing. This weekend, the efforts of all supporters and particularly Mike and Freya, the Haringey residents who have marshalled the campaign for a successor event, are finally rewarded with the first ever UpRise.
Returning to its roots, UpRise is a community festival, organised by and for the community and devoid of the party politics that hexed Rise. It's a free festival for all the family, celebrating the diversity of London, featuring live music, comedy and inspirational speakers. They've got the Unions back on board and fundraised tirelessly to make this happen but you can still support this remarkable rebirth by joining the £1 crew and earning a funky badge to wear with pride at the weekend.
Unsurprisingly, Ken Livingstone has come out batting for UpRise, pledging funds to help the festival grow, should he be elected in 2012.
Read the full UpRise story and join the Festival this Sunday on Finsbury Park between 12.30-7.30pm.
