THOUSANDS of people flocked to watch live music and cheerleading and try rock climbing and sumo wrestling at the Leys Festival.

It was a double win for the people of Blackbird Leys on Saturday as the new Blackbird Leys Park sports pavilion was also opened by Oxford East MP Andrew Smith.

Festival goers enjoying the sun also tried a bicycle assault course and battled it out in the Vortex laser tag.

Lifelong Leys resident Caroline Anderson, who took three-year-old granddaughter Mckenzie Saxton, said: “We always come.

“Everyone has been talking about it. We are such a strong community and I get to see people I knew as little babies bringing their children.”

KC’s School of Dance kicked off an afternoon of live music and performance on the main stage.

Pegasus Primary School student Macy Claire, nine, showed off her solo street dance and disco steps then did a routine with other girls.

Her mum Lisa Claire, 40, from Blackbird Leys, said: “We always come, it’s great for the kids, they get to meet up with all their friends.”

Dance instructor Kelly Chandler, who runs the school at Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre, said: “We dance all over Europe, but this is where we are from.

“It is such a lovely community, we always like coming back.”

This year’s party cost about £12,000 to stage, with the biggest donation, £6,000, coming from Blackbird Leys Parish Council.

Organiser Jane Gallagher, of Oxfordshire Play Association (OPA), said: “It’s been a beautiful day, the sun shone and people enjoyed themselves. We had so many positive comments from people who enjoyed it, there has been something for all ages.”

Blackbird Leys will now be playing more sport, it is hoped, after the ribbon was cut on the new, £430,000 sports pavilion at 2pm.

Vice chairman of Oxford Blackbirds Alliance football club Bob Camp said the new changing rooms and tuck shop were “absolutely fantastic”.

He said: “It is long overdue, a massive thanks to everyone involved, it is a great effort.

“At the moment we hold meetings in the middle of a field in wind, rain or sun.

“This is one of the biggest estates in the country, and now we can try and get some of our community’s support back.”

About 250 young footballers will use of the new pavilion, which replaces the former changing rooms condemned eight years ago when asbestos was found.

But coaches hope the new facility will attract more players to the clubs, with an ambition of setting up the first girls’ team in the Leys.

MP Andrew Smith said: “The facilities we have send a message, and people will get a positive message from this.

“The guys who run youth football do the most unpaid work of just about anybody, making this a vital recreational resource.”