Castle Bytham Set to Host Vibrant Midsummer Festival This Weekend

Castle Bytham Set to Host Vibrant Midsummer Festival This Weekend

Castle Bytham is gearing up for its annual Midsummer Festival this weekend, June 21st and 22nd, promising two days packed with music, food, and family-friendly entertainment. The festival, which offers free parking, is a highlight of the village's calendar, drawing visitors from across the region.

Friday, June 21st: A Celebration of Music and More

The festivities kick off on Friday, June 21st, with a focus purely on music. The day begins bright and early at 10:00 AM with "The Chase 5k fun trail run," offering a chance for active participation (registration available online or from 9:00 AM on St Martins field). For those seeking more traditional entertainment, fairground rides will be in full swing from 10:00 AM, alongside a tempting BBQ serving bacon butties.

The Tea Tent also opens at 10:00 AM, providing a perfect spot for refreshments. By 11:00 AM, the Festival Bar will be serving, boasting an impressive selection of around 25 real ales. The main musical event, the "MUSIC FESTIVAL!," begins at 12:00 noon, featuring a diverse range of live music spanning rock, blues, folk, funk, and Latin genres. Festival food, including BBQ, veggie options, crepes, and noodles, will also be available from midday. A highlight of the afternoon is scheduled for 1:30 PM with a flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) Avro Lancaster, subject to aircraft clearance. The day's events are set to conclude at 11:00 PM.

Saturday, June 22nd: Market Delights and Family Fun

Saturday, June 22nd, sees the festival expand with the addition of a vibrant street market. Market Stalls open at 9:00 AM, offering a wide array of goods and local produce. The Tea Tent also reopens at 10:00 AM, and the Festival Bar at 11:00 AM.

For the younger attendees and the young at heart, bouncy slides and traditional fairground rides will be available from 10:00 AM. Live music resumes at 11:00 AM, featuring local talents including the Rutland Big Band. Children's entertainment is a key focus, with Carl the Bubbleman and Dinosaurs providing engaging performances from 11:00 AM.

A charming addition to Saturday's schedule is the Dog Show, commencing at 12:00 noon (registration at 11:00 AM at the Lower Green). Festival food will be available from 12:00 PM on St Martins field and at the Village Hall. Another thrilling flypast by the BBMF, this time featuring a Spitfire and Hurricane, is planned for 1:00 PM, also subject to clearance. The day's events will conclude with the popular Duck Race at 3:00 PM, and the festival officially closes at 5:00 PM.

Visitors are encouraged to check the festival's website, www.midsummerfestival.co.uk, for any last-minute updates on timings or aircraft clearances. The Castle Bytham Midsummer Festival promises to be a fantastic community event, offering something for everyone to enjoy.