Salt Fest returns to Droitwich Spa this weekend

Droitwich Spa’s popular Salt Fest will return to the town this weekend for the annual celebration of its salt heritage.

Running from 8-9 September in Vines Park, the free event will kick off at 10am and will once again offer live music and entertainment across the weekend.

There will be an array of food stalls, local crafts and trades, local good causes and plenty of fun to be had with circus skills, inflatables, a wartime display, face painting and ferret racing.

The event will be officially opened at 10:30am by Cllr Tony Rowley, Chairman of Wychavon District Council and Cllr Mrs Christine Bowden, Mayor of Droitwich Spa. St Augustine’s Church will also launch Salt Fest with the sound of their bells ringing our across the town.

Following this, there will be live children’s entertainment by Wren Arts providing entertainment such as balloon modelling, giant bubbles and knights on stilts. Town walks and canal boat trips on the Pamela May will also be held throughout the weekend.

The main marquee will showcase young local musicians and bands with a craft beer and local cider bar serving until late on Saturday and 6pm on Sunday.

For 2018, ‘Salt Alley’ will make a return as Saltbarrow Market becomes the salt zone where you can taste luxury Churchfields Farm ice cream and buy products such as the unique Droitwich Salt Fudge and Droitwich Salt itself.

Probus 87 will be offering displays and activities featuring the town’s salt heritage and local history, whilst also providing demonstrations, showing how salt was made from Droitwich Brine in the Iron Age over 2,000 years ago.

Starting at 10:30am, Sunday’s activities will include more live music in the marquee, boat trips, a duck race at 4pm and a dog show which will be held between 11am and 4pm. Children will be able to experience life as a Roman at the Roman Camp as well as take part in art activities and have fun on an inflatable slide.

Salt Fest started in 2006 and celebrates the town’s unique salt heritage with an opportunity to find out about how the salt came to be in Droitwich Spa, when it was discovered and how it has been used through the centuries.

Cllr Richard Morris, portfolio holder for economic growth and housing, said: “Last year was a momentous time for Droitwich as it was the first time in 100 years that the town’s pure brine salt went back on sale.

“Salt Fest is a chance for people to come together to enjoy local produce and to promote the town’s rich brine heritage. We hope this year will be bigger and better than ever.”

Visit www.saltfest.co.uk for more information.