Elford Scarecrow Festival 2017

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Sat 26 Aug 2017 - Sun 27 Aug 2017

If you want a quick summary of what has been going on in the world during the course of the year then there are few better places to visit than the Staffordshire village of Elford, near Tamworth, over the August Bank Holiday. For this is when the annual Elford Scarecrow Festival takes place - and, judging by previous years, there are bound to be some topical entries for the hundreds of visitors to enjoy over the course of the two day weekend.



Previous years' entries during the seven years that the Elford Scarecrow Festival has been held have included senior politicians from both sides of the pond, with Donald Trump competing with the likes of former Prime Minister David Cameron and Boris Johnson. Sporting celebrities such as long distance runner Mo Farah and diver Tom Daley have also been represented, along with popular films of the day including the Minions, Pokemon, Up and the BFG, and some old classics, among them Mary Poppins and Little Red Riding Hood.



The 2017 festival, which is organised by local residents, is expected to be no exception with a number of topical figures likely to feature among the 100 or so scarecrows that village residents have spent the previous few months lovingly creating. The event, which takes place throughout the village of Elford on Saturday 26 August and Sunday 27 August, could see a return of President Trump after he featured last year alongside the wall he is threatening to build on the border with Mexico. There may also be a few athletics-inspired scarecrows, including the now retired superstar Usain Bolt, following the recent World Championships in London.



The Scarecrow Festival takes place each day from 11am to 4pm. Entry and parking costs just £2 for adults and £1 for children, with under 5's admitted free. All proceeds will be shared between the local St Peter's Church , Elford Village Hall, and the Pathway Project which supports victims of domestic abuse. Scarecrows will be visible on streets throughout the village, including displays around St Peters Church and the recently restored Elford Walled Gardens. Visitors are invited to see how many scarecrows they can find, and parents of young children are also welcome to attend as the route is buggy and wheelchair friendly.



New for this year's scarecrow festival is a children's area located in Howard Primary School which will include a real fire engine, a bouncy castle and play area. Organisers have also secured a flypast by the RAF of a Hurricane and Spitfire aircraft. Other attractions over the Bank Holiday weekend include a Pimms and beer tent, a barbecue, cream teas and light refreshments served in the village hall, and a Hedgehog trail for the children. There will also be a number of fun-to-try stalls including favourites like hook a duck, splat the rat, guess the weight of the sheep and a teddy tombola. Organisers hope to at least match last year's fundraising total of £15,000. Elford, which comprises less than 300 households, is situated alongside the River Tame and just off the A513 road between Tamworth and Alrewas. More information can be found online at elfordscarecrowfestival.uk

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#community_events
#fun_things_to_do
#outdoor
#walks
#august
!date 26/08/2017 -- 27/08/2017
%wnbirmingham