MORRIS dancers are set to descend on Evesham and Pershore during a festival of traditional folk, song and colour.
More than 30 morris dancing sides will entertain audiences with free street performances in towns and villages across the Vale during National Morris Weekend next Saturday (June 20) and Sunday (June 21).
The family fun festival will sweep through Pershore, Broadway, Bretforton, Harvington, Inkberrow, Offenham, Charlton and Evesham where dancers will gather in the town centre at 4pm on Saturday to begin the festivities before dancing in Abbey Park and later at the Fleece Inn, Bretforton and Market Place.
On the Sunday there will be a special morris themed service at St Lawrence’s Church at 10am, followed by a duck race on the River Avon and at 11.30am from Abbey Park to Market Place, each morris side will give a demonstration performance and compete for the prestigious Evesham Stick which will be presented at 3pm.
Organiser Judy Watkins said: “Although the atmosphere is brilliantly entertaining and fun, the competition for the coveted prize of the Evesham Stick can be very serious.
“The sides are from a wide range of morris traditions which tell us they love coming to Evesham, where they always receive a warm welcome.”
Evesham Business Partnerships manager, Shawn Riley said: “The National Morris Weekend, like all of our 20 plus annual festivals that take place in and around Evesham throughout spring and summer, is a great attraction to visitors from near and far.
“They have become a key contributor to the local economy which is why Wychavon District Council is keen to support and encourage the organisers, who commit so much of their own time and energy to make our festival programme so successful.”
Visit www.nationalmorrisweekend.co.uk for more information about the weekend.
