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

Tamworth’s popular St George’s Day extravaganza is back for 2018 and will take over the Castle Grounds with medieval-themed fun for the whole family on Saturday, April 21from 10am – 5pm.

 

Over recent years the event has become a growing success, attracting record-breaking crowds of more than 13,000 people. Another jam-packed, FREE 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 the return of Epico the last living dragon. Sir Aurelious Jones, assisted by his Goblin Butler, will bring Epico to enthral the crowds with comedic mayhem, audience participation, eccentric dance, physical comedy, buffoonery and the biggest, brightest and most beautiful dragon you have ever seen.

 

The Grand Medieval Joust is back by popular demand. Festival-goers 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 The Tamworth Emerge Festival which is being added to the event this year. This is one of twelve youth-led arts festivals taking place across the midlands on the same day. Funded by Spirit of 2012 and managed by The Mighty Creatives, in partnership with Arts Connect and UK Young Artists the festival is inspired by Shakespeare and verbal arts and produced by local young people to showcase the variety of young creative talent across Tamworth.

 

The Tamworth Emerge Festival is directed by writer and musician Siobhan Donnelly, in partnership with Fired Up Theatre and Landau Forte Academy QEMS, with contributions from Phoenix Youth Theatre and Upbeat Dance Studio. There will be a mix of dance, drama, and music performances all inspired by Shakespeare, including:

  • Shakespeare murder mystery 
  • Tempest, Macbeth, and Romeo & Juliet dance pieces
  • Re-telling of Romeo and Juliet
  • Macbeth told through movement
  • A selection of Shakespeare sketches including Shakespeare vs. Netflix
  • A variety of musical performances

 

There will also be arts and crafts workshops to take part in, as well as a Shakespeare photo booth and treasure hunt.

 

The dedicated Children’s Zone will feature face painting, medieval obstacle course, inflatable turret castle, stocks, medieval dress up, circus skills and a Robin Hood target challenge. 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 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.

 

Cllr Robert Pritchard, Deputy Leader of Tamworth Borough Council, 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 from 10am with the grand finale at 5pm.

Activities in the grounds will be supported by more medieval-themed fun inside Tamworth Castle which will be inviting visitors to play historic games with Lady Freville, help the laundress clean clothes using medieval techniques and learn about weapons and armour from the period. Please check the Tamworth Castle website for opening times and admission prices: www.TamworthCastle.co.uk