MELKSHAM Food and River Festival organisers are promising a weekend packed full of fun for all the family – all you have to do, is save the date!
The festival takes place over Saturday 31st August and Sunday 1st September in the King George V playing field.
Visitors will be able to enjoy over 70 stalls offering hot food, drink, artisan foods, craft ales, ciders, spirits, and local crafts.
There will also be cooking demonstrations, fairground rides, a climbing wall, face painting, the infamous Cooper Tires Wire Challenge, boat trips, the raft race, canoe demonstrations, live music and dancing, and much more.
Organisers say, “The popular cooking demonstrations return to the festival this year. The demonstrations take place in the ‘Leekes Country Kitchen Marquee’ where you’ll also be able to watch the cooking action on our big screens.
“The demonstrators this year sees the popular return of Gretchen from the Farm Cookery School in Bromham, who this year will show you how to make gnocchi; Wafaa, who will delight you with a Taste of Lebanon; and Jessica Shepherd, who followed her passion and started her food business Take A Bao.
“Why not picnic in our Food Stall area and enjoy the food on offer – roast potatoes, seafood, hog roast, jerk chicken, along with South African, Thai and Vietnamese cuisine.
“More than 70 stallholders will be onsite from 10am on Saturday, offering hot food and drink, artisan foods, craft ales, ciders, spirits, local crafts and much more.
“Enjoy this while being able to wash it down with some refreshment at the Festival Bar. Available on both days will be a great selection of local beer, ales and ciders plus prosecco or gin, and of course soft drinks will also be available for your enjoyment.
“Danny Toogood’s Fairground brings children’s rides, an inflatable slide, dome and side stalls, including ‘hook a duck’, ‘sweet cork shooter’ and ‘test of strength’.
“Wiltshire Outdoor Learning Team (WOLT) will bring an 8.5m high climbing wall, which can accommodate four climbers simultaneously. Fun for adults and children over the age of six.
“A bungee trampoline will also provide fun for youngsters. Our friendly Festival face painter, Barry Moger, is a master of his art and a regular visitor to the Festival. Frankie the canal horse will be giving children’s rides in the park.
“On the River – The Cooper Tires Wire Challenge, rigged by WOLT, is a traverse zip-wire across the River Avon. A challenge for adults and children over the age of eight.
“Have a look at the fabulous visiting boats berthed on the river and have a chat with the owners, many of whom take their boats all over the UK and Europe.
“Boat Trips on ‘The Mary Archard’ will be provided in the capable hands of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust. Take a relaxing boat ride along the beautiful River Avon towards Beanacre and enjoy the wildlife on this stretch of river. ‘The Mary Archard’ is a wheelyboat, which can accommodate wheelchairs and children’s buggies, allowing the entire family to enjoy a boat trip
“Try canoeing – thinking of taking up a new sport or just feeling adventurous, then why not try canoeing with Wiltshire Youth Canoe Club (WYCC)? The canoe club will provide you with safety equipment.
“On Saturday the Foxhangers Raft Race takes place with cash prizes for the winning team and for the best turned out crew and raft. On Sunday, a paddleboard race will be held. Come and support the teams on their homemade rafts as they try to beat the river and each other.
“Musical Entertainment – back this year by popular demand for your enjoyment, Sweet Swing Trio will play three separate sets on Saturday and Burbank will play on Sunday. New this year is Rock ‘n’ Roll and belly dancing. Whichever is your forté you’ll be able to watch the dance demonstrations. Get your rhythm shoes on and join in the fun
“Saturday Evening Concert – To round off Saturday, join us for a late afternoon concert in the marquee. Put your feet up and let the brilliant Decibelles, Macapello Choir and Rock Choir entertain you. The Decibelles are Donna and Jo, who will again be on hand to delight us with their musical talent
“Our local acapello choir, Macapello, has been singing and laughing together since 2012. The Rock Choir is a local choir, whose local members, will lead us through the most uplifting and ‘feel good’ songs ever written.”
