Garstang and District Children's Festival
ON FESTIVAL DAY
For the organisers of the event the day starts at 6 a.m. with tasks such as the decorating of
the market cross and the preparation of sandwiches for the children in visiting bands.
The crowning of the 2011 Festival Queen, Paige Hurst from Garstang, will take place at
the Market Cross at 11 a.m. Paige will be crowned by the Retiring Queen, Hayley Phillips.
Following the crowning of the Festival Queen the morning procession will proceed
through the streets led by the Morris Dancers, the festival and retiring queens, plus many
other queens from surrounding villages and churches.
One of the highlights of the day must be the brightly decorated children's tableaux.
Parents have been very busy these past few weeks putting the floats together, and I'm sure
that the usual large crowds will appear to marvel at the quality of the tableaux and to show
their appreciation.
There will be seven bands in attendance on the day: Pilling brass band, Brindle brass band,
Red Rose brass band, The Hyndeburn Comets Majorette Troupe, Bolton Scottish Pipe
Band, Lancaster City Brass Band and St Peters Brigade Band from Preston.
Also taking part in the procession will be the Garstang School of Gymnasium and
members from the scouts and guides.
On completion of the morning procession, attention will switch to the Moss Lane playing
fields where activities will start at 1.10 pm with a display from the Children's Festival
Morris Dancers followed by display's from the Garstang School of Gymnasium.
and the Hyndeburn Comets Majorette Troupe.
Attention will then switch to the ever popular children's sports which will commence at
approximately 1.50 pm, these will be followed by the football semi finals.
Throughout the afternoon there are many attractions for the younger children including
the presence of a professional face painter, children's rides, bouncy castles and Punch
& Judy shows. All activities are free of charge so bring the little ones down for a great
family day out.
Refreshments are available throughout the afternoon.
The evening procession starts at 6 p.m. at Moss Lane playing fields. This will include the
fancy dress parade in which there are many prizes to be won. The fancy dress parade is
open to anyone. Entries are accepted from 5.15pm on Moss Lane playing fields, with
judging taking place between 5.30pm and 6.00pm.and along the procession route.
So why not try your luck and have great fun at the same time?
The day concludes with the final of the football competition at 7.30pm.
David Gardner
Festival Secretary.