Snap Dragon festival week 2018 programme launched

The popular Snap Dragon children and families festival will be back for the seventh year running this summer with a week-long programme of activities in Hinckley.

Events are scheduled at the popular Argents Mead and Hollycroft parks from Monday 30 July to Friday 3 August, from 11am to 3pm. Each day will feature a different theme, with an under five’s zone provided by Hinckley Sure Start and sand play sponsored by Hinckley BID:

Monday 30 July is Seaside fun day in Argents Mead. Enjoy a traditional seaside day and enjoy the party atmosphere and a taste of the Caribbean with the steel band Pantasy. There will be donkey rides, beach and sand play, traditional peep boards, side shows, seaside crafts, creative play, Punch and Judy, plus much more. Also Hinckley & District Museum in Lower Bond Street will be hosting a Roman Day (suitable from age 5 upwards) from 11am to 3pm featuring dressing up, writing, jewellery making and crafts on a Roman theme. Admission to the Roman day is £1 per person which includes museum entry.

Tuesday 31 July is Out of this world day in Argents Mead. Discover dinosaurs, space men, aliens and take part in a range of ‘fizz pop’ science shows. Discover a world in space and become a star gazer, meet a giant T-Rex and cute baby dinosaurs. Have a go on a space train and become an explorer, look through a microscope and see what you can discover.

Wednesday 1 August is National play day, the national celebration of a child’s right to play in Argents Mead. Back by popular demand this year is the water slide so bring a towel, plus there will be den building, dressing up, a mud pie kitchen, pavement art, giant bubble blowing and have a go at being a circus performer with our amazing circus party tent.

Thursday 2 August is Fairy tale fantasy in Argents Mead. Have a ride on a magical unicorn, customise your teddy (either bring your own or you can buy one for a small charge), decorate a gingerbread man, follow the gnomes trail, build the three little pigs' house and take a spin on Alice’s cups and saucers. The Hobgoblin Theatre Company will be presenting ‘the best fairy tale in the world’ with all the best bits from favourite fairy tales. Performances are arranged at 11:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 2:30pm.

Friday 3 August is the Snap Dragon spectacular at Hollycroft Park in Hinckley where you can enjoy this year’s young people’s festival showcasing talent from across Hinckley and Bosworth. Bring a picnic and enjoy the festival atmosphere. Enjoy lots of play activities, pavement art, giant bubbles, photo booth and performances from the Children’s Community Choir and Fern and Lisa Duffy, and the Riverside Theatre Company will be presenting ‘Dr Doolittle’.

As well as the week-long festival, Snap Dragon on tour 2018 will be visiting villages in the borough with a new and exciting programme of events and activities:

• Monday 23 July (11am to 2pm) – Witherley Memorial Playing Fields
• Tuesday 24 July (11am to 2pm) – The Church Rooms, Ratby
• Monday 6 August (11am to 2pm) – Bagworth Community Park
• Tuesday 7 August  (11am to 2pm) – Village Green, Dadlington

Councillor Miriam Surtees, Hinckley & Bosworth’s Children, Young People and Families Champion, said:

The freedom to play is so important and the Snap Dragon festival offers many fantastic opportunities for children, young people and families to come together and have a great time, trying new things and having lots of fun. I hope that as many people as possible can join us for a fantastic time.

There will also be scavenger hunts, free play dough recipe books (so you can have a go at home) and the Snap Dragon passport as well as lots of other exciting fun. You can download the festival's full programme.

In addition, there are a range of mini Snap Dragon events delivered in partnership with a range of local organisations. These range from free squash taster sessions, an archaeological dig and slime making workshop to making a puppet. For a comprehensive guide to activities and information for children, young people and their families in Hinckley and Bosworth, the What’s Going Down brochure for 2018 will be available to download from from the beginning of July.

For more information contact Rebecca Ball, Children and Young People’s Strategic Co-ordinator, on 01455 255937 or Sherrilee Burdett on 01455 255893.