There is nothing quite like a fun-filled festival with events for all the family to raise the spirits on a summer weekend. The organisers of the annual Faringdon FollyFest Fringe Festival – held from 7 to 9 July 2023, have been working really hard to provide local residents of Faringdon and surrounding villages with all the elements to make a memorable weekend. However, in order for the Festival to be absolutely fantastic they need you to get involved too in the many events which are planned.
The organising Committee has been fundraising all year and together with sponsorship from numerous Faringdon businesses and local Councils, they are looking forwards to making the event really spectacular. If you genuinely appreciate what Faringdon’s FollyFest Fringe has to offer, you can help in some way to raise funds for each annual event which currently costs in excess of £15,000 to put on.
There are so many different activities planned with something for all the family including your much-loved dog.
The Fringe starts on the Friday afternoon with a children’s movie at the Corn Exchange starting at 4.30pm. For those with a love of hot spicey foods, you need to come along at 6pm to the Chilli eating contest which staff from the Old Crown Coaching Inn are holding in the Market Square.
Saturday’s events are varied and many. To start the day why not enjoy some relaxing Tai Chi in the gardens of Sudbury House Hotel which starts at 9.45am. For those with a lot more energy head towards the Corn Exchange for 10am to have a go at playing badminton. This event is free, and you will get tips from the coaches.
Sudbury House Hotel grounds are also the venue for the first FollyFest Fun Dog Show which gets underway at 10.30am.
For those of you who love to dance head to the Corn Exchange where the Hawaiian dancing starts at 11am followed at 1pm by the ever-popular Belly dancing demo, followed by an instruction class. Other events that afternoon include popular opera songs performed in All Saints Church at 1pm. For the actors out there, take part in an adult play reading where you will be assigned reading parts before participating in reading the actual play. This popular event takes place at 4pm at Floyd’s Grill. The same venue is hosting comedy slots early Saturday evening with Samantha Day and supporting acts providing hilarious entertainment.
Faringdon Drama Society will also be performing a compilation of their songs from past performances at 2.30pm in the Corn Exchange. Fantastic costumes and songs are guaranteed.
For those seeking an adrenalin rush, The Pump House Project on Swan Lane will be demonstrating Parkour during the day so come along and have a go at jumping off tall buildings. Look out too for the cookery demos being provided in the Ball Room by Sam Squires, Head Chef at the Crown.
Running throughout the day, a Treasure Trail will be held for children. Simply come along to the FollyFest stall in Market Place to collect your guide and clues sheet.
The Sunday morning events start with a Fancy Dress Fun Run. Go along for a fun warm up at 10am at Sudbury House which Faringdon Far runner is organising before taking part in the main event starting at 11am in the Market Place. If you are not a runner but would still like to get active, Fitsteps are being held in the Corn Exchange at 11am.
Hopefully, the sun will shine on Faringdon on the Sunday morning so people can get involved in the usual Open Air church service in the Market Place, starting at 10am.
The Pump House Project on Swan Lane is the location for a number of activities for young people running all day on 9 July. These include at 11am a Crown Making and Rapunzel re-enactment, UV/Lazer Show for children at 1.30pm, Biscuit Decorating at 2.45pm, Flower Headdress making at 3.30pm, Balance Bikes at 4pm and finally Story Time at 4.45pm.
To keep an eye on what other events, including live music, are taking place during the FollyFest Fringe weekend, visit faringdonfollyfest.co.uk
