Village ready for scarecrow festival fun
THE third annual Desford Scarecrow Festival – thought to be one of the biggest in Leicestershire, if not the UK – takes place this bank holiday weekend.
Households in the village have been exercising their imaginations, Worzel Gummidge style, for the last few weeks, coming up with weird and wonderful creations to mark the long weekend of celebrations.
This year’s theme will be Best of British, with displays featuring movie stars, authors, sports stars, members of the royal family and maybe even the odd politician.
Among the characters making an appearance will be Freddie Mercury, the Go Jetters, astronaut Tim Peak, Peter Rabbit, Dr Who, Bradley Wiggins and Worzel Gummidge himself.
Dozens of scarecrows will line the streets, making up a scarecrow trail for people to follow, while the Blue Bell Inn will host a beer festival and fairground.
There will be live music, food stalls and fun activities on the church green, at the church hall and elsewhere around the village.
Previous years have attracted thousands of visitors – including some from overseas – and money raised will go to good causes including Desford in Bloom, a voluntary group formed to brighten up the village and build community spirit.
Entertainment this year includes:
■ The Moonlighters kick-starting the festival on the church green at 11.30am on Saturday
■ Mini Professors, providing sciencebased fun at Desford Church Centre on Monday
■ Flaming Mo’s Pizza on the church green all weekend
■ The Boodons performing on the church green at 2.30pm and 5.15pm on Saturday
■ Popcorn from Axxa Celebrations each day at the church centre
■ Displays by Kinder Falconry each day at the church centre
■ Minnie and Mickey Mouse at the church centre every day between 1pm and 2pm
■ The Non-Commitments performing on the church green at noon on Monday, and closing the festival at 4.45pm that day
■ The “Desford Eye” and funfair in the Blue Bell car park
■ Face painting on the church green all weekend
The fun is being organised by Desford in Bloom and a team of volunteers called the “Scarecrew”, who hope to attract even more entries than last year’s 191.
Scarecrew member and villager Laura Carr said: “Last year the festival saw around 10,000 visitors flood the streets of Desford and £10,000 made for local charities and community groups.
“Desford in Bloom used money raised to pay towards big planters along Kirkby Road to kick-start their Safer Parking Initiative, as well as fund displays which were judged by East Midlands in Bloom and Britain in Bloom.
“There are several other community groups involved, including Desford Primary School and St Martin’s Church, along with groups and businesses fundraising for charities like Dementia UK.”
Each day runs from 10am to 6pm and there will be free parking available at Bosworth Academy, in Leicester Lane.