Bounce over to Bristol for a big ping pong party

Neil Smith of The Ping Pong Parlour and Nic Ferris from Kings of Ping.

When: 18th October – 26th October 2013

Where: Bristol

£: Many of the events are free.

What is it?

From Friday 18th October to Saturday 26th October 2013, Bristol will be serving up some fun and games as the international ping pong event and global gathering, Pongress, takes over the tables.

Pongress was first held in Berlin in 2010, this year it’s Bristol’s turn to host this table tennis fest with a difference.  The week-long programme will include seven evenings of ping parties, a cycle ride to some of Bristol’s outdoor tables, a pub pong crawl and more. DJ’s and ping pong party hosts will be coming from Manchester, Brighton and Newcastle, and even as far away as Washington DC to help bounce some fun around the city.

Kings of Ping, not your average game of table tennis.

Toby Lowe, who was inspired to create and develop Pongress says: “Pongress 2013 is the Third International Congress of Ping Pong Party People.  It is a celebration of the unifying power of ping pong.  It brings joy to a troubled world.  You will talk to people you have never met.  You will meet your nemesis and fall in love.  You will dress up and serve like a champion.  This is the spirit of Ping Pong:  It is Beer.  It is Tunes.  It is Table Tennis.”

Highlights for this year’s Pongress:

Launch Party on Friday 18th October at All Hallows Hall, Easton.
Six ping pong tables, DJ’s and a bar.  A chance for ping pong representatives from pubs and clubs around the world to mingle and ping. Tickets cost £5 on the door.

Ping Pong Revolution on Saturday 19th October beginning at Creative Common, Temple Quay.
A cycle tour of ten of the many outdoor tables in Bristol.  The ride is due to finish at The Canteen, Stokes Croft by 5pm.  The event is free to attend, just turn up with a bike and a bat.

Ping Pong Newcastle hosted evening on Saturday 19th October at The Duke of York, Jubilee Road.
Ping Pong Newcastle is the UK’s original and longest running, social ping pong night. For seven years they’ve blazed a trail of pong glory and are bringing their legendary party to Pongress 2013.

The Ping Effect, The social Impact of Ping Pong: Talk and discussion on Sunday 20th October, 6 – 7pm, at The Cube Microplex.
Andy James (Ping! England, English Ping Pong Association), Toby Lowe (Ping Pong Newcastle, Pongress Creator) and Tim Holtam (Brighton TTC & Ping! Brighton) lead a talk about the social impact of table tennis.

Pongress finale on Saturday 26th October at Creative Common, Temple Quay.
A halloween fancy dress spectacular hosted by Kings of Ping including doubles and singles tournaments, other competitive games and free play tables.  Also featuring Pongplexed from Brighton.  Tickets for the The Return of Goths of Pong halloween party cost £5 – £7.

More info: www.pongress.org