Castle Bytham Midsummer Festival to return with music, food and drink, and entertainment
A two-day festival will offer the chance to enjoy a midsummer feast of music, eating, drinking and shopping.
Castle Bytham Midsummer Festival starts on Saturday, June 24 at 10am with the 5km ‘Chase’ race, in which entrants are pursued by a pitchfork-waving farmer.
At 11am drinks will start being poured and pulled with music and a barbecue beginning an hour later at midday.
A vintage fairground of swingboats and traditional games will provide entertainment for children.
On the Sunday (June 25), from 9am to 5.30pm, there will be a street market with more than 50 stalls selling books, jewellery, clothing, crafts and bric-a-brac, as well as plenty of food to please all tastes.
There will be morris dancing and Bill Brookman, a one-man band, fire-eater, juggler and puppeteer, will provide eclectic entertainment.
Further fun comes in the form of the duck race, dog show and BBMF Avro Lancaster flypast.
There is a chance to taste even more beer, real ale and gin or play on the bouncy slide and fairground while listening to live music.
The festival - which has free entry - closes at 11pm on the Saturday and 5.30pm on the Sunday.
Putting an event of this scale on needs a lot of organising, with the group starting months in advance.
Alan Harvey, who is on the organising committee, said: “There has been quite a lot of planning and organising by a core group of volunteers working from about January.
“Everybody is getting in the mood now and we are very optimistic.
“We have been putting on the event for more than 25 years - apart from during the pandemic - and it has been getting bigger and more varied.
“There is a lot going on.”
All the money made from the event will go to local community groups including St James’ Church in the village, Castle Bytham Village Hall and Castle Bytham Community Shop.
Last year more than £9,000 was raised.
Since moving to the village 30 years ago, Alan has met a lot of friends through the festival.
He said: “It is a tremendous event.
“It is a place where you can meet people. If you are not going to other social events or don’t spend every night in the pub, the festival, both organising and joining in activities provides a cohesive effect and brings people together.
“It enables people to speak with others they may not usually connect with.”
More details on what to expect from the event can be found here: https://midsummerfestival.co.uk.
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