Around 70 free events have been confirmed for the first ever ‘Town Centre Arts Festival’ in Stafford.
The inaugural festival takes place later this month with more than 100 performers and exhibitors in 25 venues across the town centre.
The festival is the brainchild of Stafford’s Town Centre Partnership and is expected to attract thousands when it takes place on Saturday 17 September.
As well as dancers and musicians providing a carnival atmosphere for the day, the event will include a range of art workshops from pottery to cake decorating. And there will be a ‘Festival of Authors’ in the County Buildings with 14 authors, and nine poets, lined up to read and give talks.
The event was inspired by the successful Wirksworth Festival in Derbyshire – one of the UK’s leading rural arts festivals. Now the ‘Partnership’ has joined forces with the Borough and County Councils to stage a day long tribute to the arts.
Performers in the town’s Market Square will include professional samba drummers and dancers ‘Art Brazil’ and Stafford Brigade Youth Marching Band all entertaining members of the public.
Residents and visitors will also get the chance to go on free guided tours to uncover the history behind town landmarks, there is also an Art Trail and St Chad’s will be holding an exhibition about 1000 years of Staffordshire churches. There will be live music throughout the day at a number of venues.
Nigel Pepper, Chair of the Arts Group for the Town Centre Partnership said: “With less than two weeks to go there is a real buzz being created about this festival both in and outside Stafford.
“With so many events going on there is something for everyone. It is another exciting project for the town and builds on the great work the ‘Partnership’ has been doing to make sure Stafford is seen as the place to visit and do business.”
All the details and events can be via a link from the council’s homepage at www.staffordbc.gov.uk or at www.stafford-towncentre.co.uk.
