Countdown is on to medieval-themed St George’s Day fun

Tamworth’s popular St George’s Day extravaganza is back for 2017 and will take over the Castle Grounds with medieval-themed fun for the whole family on Saturday, April 22.

Last year’s event was a huge success, attracting record-breaking crowds of more than 13,000 people. Another jam-packed line-up of entertainment has been put together in the hope of building on that success this year.

The St George’s Day extravaganza will include all the festival favourites that have led to the event becoming well-known up and down the country, such as jousting, archery, a living history camp, stalls, fairground rides and children’s activities.

There’s also a new interactive dragon for 2017, which people are encouraged to stroke, while animal-lovers will be sought to help incubate the dragon’s large egg.

The Grand Medieval Joust is back by popular demand when visitors will be able to watch the action unfold as competing knights on horseback take to the main arena to show off their jousting skills. Throughout the day knights will also demonstrate the variety of weapons and combat methods used during medieval skirmishes.

Other entertainment and activities for the whole family include a medieval fashion show, children’s pottery-making workshops, Beowulf – A Storytelling of Puppets, a Medieval Grave Diggers Comedy, walkabout characters, Morris dancing, water and land zorbing, bungee trampolines and food stalls.

The dedicated Children’s Zone will feature face painting, stocks, circus skills, magical dress up, knight classes, bouncy castles and inflatable slides, a Robin Hood Nerf shootout and an 8ft inflatable jester. Admission to the Children’s Zone is priced at £3 per child (adults get in free of charge) and youngsters can come and go as they please throughout the day.

Tamworth Scouts who will again march through the town centre in a St George’s Day parade, before renewing their promise in the Castle Grounds.

The free annual festival is one of the highlights of Tamworth’s impressive calendar of outdoor events organised by Tamworth Borough Council’s Arts & Events team and draws thousands of visitors from across the country.

Andrew Barratt, Tamworth Borough Council’s Director of Assets & Environment, said: “The

St George’s Day festival is one of the most popular events on our calendar and the Arts & Events team is always working hard to ensure it continues to grow and offer new attractions each year. With so much going on throughout the event, it’s easy to keep the whole family entertained for several hours with a variety of medieval-themed fun and games.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming lots of people to the town to join the celebrations again this year.”