The Leicestershire village of Desford is set to become a ‘sight for straw eyes’ this August Bank Holiday weekend, with the arrival of its sixth annual scarecrow festival.
A total of 84 imaginative scarecrows will be scattered throughout the village at this year’s event, which spans Saturday, Sunday and Monday and is open 10am – 6pm daily. This year, villagers have been tasked with building their own versions of classic cartoon characters, with ‘animation’ being the theme.
Alongside the scarecrows, there will be stalls, a beer tent and entertainment including bouncy castles, face painting, pony rides and birds of prey.
The main sites for the 2023 event will be the St Martin’s Church green and the nearby Pickards Park, with a pop-up cafe in the church centre in Main Street.
Musical entertainment on the church green will include Benji Williams, Big Bad Wilf, The Bodoons and Syston Brass Band.
There will be parking at Bosworth Academy with disabled parking at Desford Dental Practice, with toilets at the village library, church centre and primary school.
Members of the “Scarecrew” will be around the village all weekend to help anyone that needs it and to sell programmes and trail guides.
All money raised will support local charities and community groups.
The Scarecrew said: “Come and join us for the biggest party in Desford.
“Free children’s entertainment will include the incredible Mr Twister and his balloon creations, a children’s mini disco, Whistle Tot Lane with role play, a children’s trail and arts and crafts.
“An open Air Family Church Service will be led by the Rev Gareth Hutchinson at the Church Green on Sunday at 10.30am.
“A team of volunteers from the church will be manning the BBQ all weekend and Desford in Bloom will be returning to run the beer tent.”
