I’ll be honest with you writing this feels a little bittersweet… Sunshine & Soul Fest happened at the end of June and by all accounts it was everything we’d hoped it would be… and I wasn’t there!!
I genuinely worked myself ragged the 2 days leading up to it so that on the Saturday morning I had sunstroke and had to be carted home for the majority of the day. I managed to come and enjoy it from about 3pm, but I was absolutely gutted to have missed everyone coming in, the opening circle, and just connecting with you all. Lessons have been learnt (aren’t they always!) and next year we will be seeking a Sunshine & Soul Festival committee of volunteers to get involved with prep assist in exchange for tickets.
From everything I’ve seen and heard, the day was genuinely magical.
We asked everyone to give us one word to describe the day. Here’s what you said…Magical. Joyful. Blessed. Soulful. Gleeful. Nourishing. Blissful. Connection. Inclusive. Wholesome. Uplifting. Fulfilling. Zen. Friendly. Illuminating. Happiness. Satisfying. Amazing. Full. Love love love. Sunny, bright and healing.
9.8 out of 10 average rating across all responses. 100% of respondents said they would come back next year or recommend Sunshine & Soul Fest to a friend. Highlights included the opening and closing ceremonies, the sound bath, yoga, kundalini, the Zone technique, Buddha chanting, children’s workshops, willow weaving, reflexology, the local stalls, the live music and simply being there, talking to people, and soaking it all up.
One of you wrote that your heart was full and you were buzzing all the way home. Another said this was the most welcoming space they’d ever been in and that there are a lot of places they felt they wouldn’t fit it, and that they know others who feel the same way. But that at Sowena, they felt able to relax and be themselves in a way they don’t often manage. That was really special to read, thank you so much.
Our volunteers were lovingly nicknamed the Guardian Angels by more than one of you were also singled out again and again. Stallholders were genuinely moved that someone would come and check on them.
You’ve already told us what you’d love to see more of…and we’re already plotting what Sunshine & Soul Fest 2027 could look like.
Thank you to every single person who came, who taught, who traded, who volunteered, who showed up and brought their whole selves with them. This little festival on a smallholding in Cornwall only exists because of this community … and we cannot wait to do it all again.. (hopefully I’ll actually be there next year!!)
