This is a sponsored article on behalf of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Summer season officially kicks off at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park this weekend — and it comes with family fun, fitness classes, street food and live performances — lots of it Rio style.
The home of the 2012 Games is bringing the Brazilian spirit to Stratford, with a Big Lunch on Sunday featuring more free activities than you can shake a javelin at.
Practise your carnival arts skills, bop to Brazilian beats, and sample samba before gorging on street food. Think delicious jerk chicken, churros, bread, olives and cheese and plenty of ice cream.
There's also a vintage area, with swing dance, nostalgic games (who doesn't love a spacehopper race?) plus lashings of tea and cake to keep you going.
For anyone who watched London 2012 and wished they were on the track (and for those hoping to make it into a future Games), mini Olympic athletic events are on offer, along with fun games to play with friends and family. Don't miss one of the free fitness classes on offer — try zumba, golf or athletics.
If all that sounds a bit too strenuous simply bring some sandwiches, and soak up the sounds of DJs and artists such as Eri Okan and Fontanas.
Then, with a full stomach, sit back and take in a free performance by world-leading dance house Sadler’s Wells, of Motionhouse's Captive — an exciting blend of dance, acrobatics and aerial work set inside a huge cage.
As if that weren't enough, you can also see the incredible Wayne McGregor company, who have recently taken up on residence in the park, performing an excerpt from their mesmerising piece, FAR.
Stratford is easy to reach from most parts of London and its main station has plenty of connections — tube, buses, rail, DLR and Overground. The park is at walk distance from Hackney Wick too, should you be spending your Sunday morning in this neck of the woods — certainly quicker to get to than Rio.
And with the sun shining, the sounds of Brazil in your ears and a delicious picnic by your side, Copacabana Beach starts to pale in comparison...
Big Lunch takes place on 5 May from noon-5pm at Hopkin's Field, North of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford E20 2ST. The event is completely free and open to everyone.
