Loogabarooga Festival plans gather pace
Beano theme exhibition now installed at museum
PREPARATIONS for this year’s Loogabarooga Festival are well underway with the Beano-themed exhibition at Charnwood Museum now installed and the iconic book benches relocated around Loughborough town centre.
The Loogabarooga Festival of Incredible Illustrations and Brilliant Books takes place at venues around Loughborough from October 18-23 with a range of literary events and shows for children and families across six days.
This year, the festival will be celebrating 80 years of the Beano - the longest-running British children’s comic. Charnwood Museum is hosting a specially commissioned exhibition of Comic Art celebrating the Beano with lots of special Beano workshops including Dennis the Menace and Minnie the Minx taking place throughout the festival.
In addition, some of the nation’s best-loved authors and illustrators will offer wacky workshops, splendid stories and hilarious live performances to bring the world of children’s literature to life. Nine hand-painted book benches have been located throughout the town, featuring some of the nation’s favourite Ladybird titles including Shopping with Mother, Cinderella and Bunnikins.
Author John Hegley and illustrator Neal Layton will present the tale of Stanley’s Stick live and Clare Elsom, the illustrator of the bestselling Flying Fergus series, will introduce her hilarious, brand-new series, Horace and Harriet.
Loogabarooga 2018 will also have an extended schools programme that combines organising authors and illustrators going into schools, as well as giving schools the opportunity to attend performances and workshops as part of the festival.
For up to date information, the full programme of events and to book tickets, visit www. loogabarooga.com
Loogabarooga is organised by Leicestershire Promotions and Charnwood Borough Council, in partnership with Leicestershire County Council and supported by Love Loughborough.
Coun Jenny Bokor, lead member for Loughborough at Charnwood Borough Council, said: “We’re really excited about this year’s festival and to be celebrating such a special year for The Beano.
“We’ve got lots planned and just like the comic, there will be plenty of fun, laughter and maybe even a little bit of mischief.
“Please have a look at our packed programme of events and book your places soon. We’re also pleased to be bringing back the Loogabarooga benches for another year as they certainly brighten up the town and are extremely popular.”
Martin Peters, chief executive of Leicestershire Promotions, added: “The Beano has been a legendary part of growing up for generations of readers and the exhibition and accompanying themed events are well worth a visit for children and parents alike.
“The programme for this year’s Festival has plenty of options for all families and we hope that they’ll find the events fun, entertaining and informative.”
Loughborough has had a long association with children’s literature since the very first Ladybird book was produced by a jobbing printer called Wills & Hepworth in the town during the First World War. Ladybird books were printed at Angel Yard in Loughborough from 1915-1973 and the first Loogabarooga Festival in 2015 coincided with Ladybird Books’ centenary.